DeepMind CEO calls DeepSeek impressive but not groundbreaking
DeepMind CEO emphasizes no new scientific advances in DeepSeek AI
Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google's DeepMind, weighed in on the rising attention surrounding DeepSeek, a Chinese tech company whose AI model has made waves in the industry.
While he acknowledged that DeepSeek’s new model was an impressive achievement, Hassabis warned that the hype around it was exaggerated. Speaking at the AI Action Summit in Paris on Sunday, he described the AI model as "probably the best work I've seen come out of China," but added that it did not represent a groundbreaking scientific advance, reports Business Insider.
"It's using known techniques," Hassabis remarked, pointing out that many of the methods employed by DeepSeek were similar to those pioneered by DeepMind and Google, such as their Alpha Zero learning system.
DeepSeek’s Potential Geopolitical Impact
Despite downplaying the technical novelty of DeepSeek’s model, Hassabis recognized the broader implications of its success. He suggested that DeepSeek's ability to compete with US AI models like OpenAI’s ChatGPT could have significant geopolitical consequences.
The Chinese AI model caused a stir in the tech world last month, with many observers noting its surprising ability to rival established American technologies, shaking the long-held belief that U.S. firms held a substantial lead in AI development.
DeepSeek’s efficiency in developing advanced AI, coupled with its relatively low costs compared to its U.S. counterparts, further fueled industry speculation. The company claimed to have spent a fraction of what American firms like OpenAI and Google invest in their models, raising questions about the true cost of developing cutting-edge machine learning technology. The release of DeepSeek’s model even contributed to a $1 trillion sell-off in U.S. markets.
AI Race and Big Investments in the Tech Sector
Hassabis’ comments came at a time when the race for artificial general intelligence (AGI)—an AI that could potentially surpass human reasoning—is intensifying. Both DeepMind and competitors like OpenAI and Microsoft are investing heavily in this pursuit.
Google has announced plans to invest $75 billion in capital expenditures this year, signaling its commitment to staying at the forefront of AI innovation. The fierce competition among these tech giants highlights the growing importance of AI in shaping the future of technology and geopolitics.
The ongoing AI developments from companies like DeepSeek, DeepMind, and others signal that the global AI race is far from over. While DeepSeek’s model has captured attention, the true long-term impact of its technology and the shifting dynamics between U.S. and Chinese AI efforts remain to be seen.
Additionally, U.S. President Donald Trump and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang met at the White House to discuss the rise of China's AI company, DeepSeek, and the tightening of artificial intelligence (AI) chip exports.
