In the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, a new contender has emerged from China, capturing the attention of the global AI community: DeepSeek. This open-source AI model, referred to as DeepSeek-V3, has rapidly gained recognition for its impressive performance at a lower training cost and reduced expenses. This article delves into the background of DeepSeek, its sudden rise to prominence, and the reasons behind its seemingly paradoxical decision to "deep dive" amidst its newfound popularity.
Founded in July 2023 with a registered capital of 10 million yuan, DeepSeek initially operated relatively unnoticed within the bustling AI ecosystem. However, the launch and subsequent open-sourcing of DeepSeek-V3 in December 2024 propelled the company into the spotlight. According to public data, the model was trained at an approximate cost of $5.58 million. Despite the global interest, DeepSeek has actively avoided external interactions. DeepSeek's products described on their official website, are jointly owned and operated by Hangzhou DeepSeek Artificial Intelligence Basic Technology Research Co., Ltd., Beijing DeepSeek Artificial Intelligence Basic Technology Research Co., Ltd. and its affiliated companies.
The mastermind behind DeepSeek, Liang Wenfeng, has a well-established reputation in the financial sector. He is the founder of 幻方量化 (Huafang Quant), one of China's leading quantitative hedge funds. Liang's journey into AI began in 2008 with research in quantitative hedging, leading to the establishment of Huafang Quant in 2015. In 2016, Huafang Quant integrated AI strategies into its operations. This experience paved the way for the creation of DeepSeek in July 2023, focusing on AI large language model (LLM) research and development.
Located in Hangzhou's Gongshu District, at Huijin International Building, the physical headquarters of DeepSeek was visited by a 21st Century Business Herald reporter. Access to the building requires a key card, and the front desk staff confirmed the location, denying further access without prior contact.
Attempts to reach DeepSeek via their publicly listed phone number proved unsuccessful. According to investors, securing a meeting with the DeepSeek team has become exceptionally challenging due to high demand.
Adding on to the silence is the official DeepSeek communication channel. The official DeepSeek communication group announced the following message "No external project cooperation for now, and we do not provide privatization deployment and related support services; DeepSeek will focus on research and development of the stronger model, so stay tuned!" This announcement highlights the company's decision to prioritize research and development over immediate commercial partnerships, fueling even greater anticipation for future releases.
Despite the company's reclusive approach, the AI community is buzzing with excitement. Questions about iOS compatibility and features like image-to-video conversion frequently appear in community forums, demonstrating the strong interest in DeepSeek's potential applications.
DeepSeek's decision to retreat from the spotlight and focus solely on research and development is a strategic one. While the sudden success of DeepSeek-V3 is undoubtedly a positive development, the company recognizes the need to consolidate its position and further refine its technology. By prioritizing research, DeepSeek aims to:
DeepSeek's emergence as a significant player in the AI world signifies China's growing influence in this critical technological field. While its current "deep dive" strategy might seem unconventional, it reflects a long-term vision focused on sustained innovation and technological leadership. The AI community eagerly awaits the next chapter in DeepSeek's journey, anticipating the unveiling of even more advanced and impactful AI models in the future. This focus will likely lead to greater efficiency in various commercial applications.
