Is DeepSeek under cyber attack? What we know

DeepSeek is a groundbreaking AI assistant developed by the Chinese startup DeepSeek, founded in Hangzhou in 2023. The company has quickly emerged as a major competitor in the AI space, rivalling established players like OpenAI.

DeepSeek’s flagship AI model, DeepSeek-V3, has been praised for its cost-effectiveness and efficiency in using advanced chips for training. Unlike many competitors, DeepSeek focuses on delivering powerful AI capabilities at a fraction of the cost, making it accessible to a broader audience.

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Is DeepSeekM facing a cyber attack?

DeepSeek announced on Monday that it is temporarily limiting user registrations due to a cyberattack. The company’s website also experienced prolonged outages, marking the longest disruption in the last 90 days. These issues coincided with a surge in the app’s popularity, which became the top-rated free application on Apple’s App Store in the United States. The outages have sparked widespread concern about the security and stability of AI platforms as they gain traction globally.

What is DeepSeek?

Since its launch on January 10, DeepSeek’s AI assistant has gained significant attention. According to Sensor Tower, it became the No. 1 downloaded free app on Apple’s iPhone store in the U.S. This sudden popularity underscores the app’s ability to rival established AI solutions, particularly in terms of affordability and performance. The app’s efficiency and cost-effectiveness challenge the narrative that cutting-edge AI requires massive investments in data centers and chips.

How does DeepSeek compare to OpenAI’s models?

DeepSeek’s latest AI model, R1, has drawn comparisons to OpenAI’s o1 model. A research paper published last week revealed that R1 demonstrates advanced reasoning capabilities, such as rethinking approaches to mathematical problems. Moreover, R1’s training costs are significantly lower, leveraging efficient use of Nvidia chips. This breakthrough has fueled debates about whether Chinese startups like DeepSeek are closing the gap with American AI giants.

Why are U.S. companies concerned?

DeepSeek’s rise has raised alarms in Silicon Valley and on Wall Street. Technology stocks, including Nvidia and Oracle, saw a sharp decline on Monday as investors reacted to the news. Analysts worry that DeepSeek’s cost-effective advancements could disrupt the AI industry’s economic model, which relies heavily on expensive infrastructure.

What are the geopolitical implications?

The rise of DeepSeek has reignited debates about the U.S.-China competition in AI. Some experts have labeled the company’s advancements as a “Sputnik moment” for AI, referencing the Cold War space race. Venture capitalist Marc Andreessen warned that overregulation in the U.S. could hinder innovation and allow China to take the lead in AI development.

The timing of DeepSeek’s announcement has led some analysts to speculate about its political motivations. Gregory Allen, director of the Wadhwani AI Center at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, suggested that the company’s achievements could be a response to U.S. export controls on AI-related semiconductors. By demonstrating its capabilities despite these restrictions, DeepSeek may be challenging the effectiveness of American policies.

How has DeepSeekM impacted U.S. export policies?

The Biden administration has tightened export controls on advanced chips to China, aiming to prevent their use in AI training. However, DeepSeek’s success calls into question the effectiveness of these measures. Nvidia, whose chips are central to AI development, saw its stock drop by 18% on Monday but commended DeepSeek for its compliance with export regulations. This raises concerns about whether U.S. restrictions can keep pace with global advancements in AI.

Why does DeepSeekM matter for the future of AI?

DeepSeek’s advancements highlight the potential for more cost-effective AI solutions, challenging the prevailing notion that cutting-edge AI requires immense financial resources. As the debate over U.S.-China AI competition intensifies, DeepSeekM serves as a case study in how innovation can disrupt traditional paradigms and reshape the industry’s future.

DeepSeek’s rapid ascent in the AI landscape underscores both the opportunities and challenges of global competition. While the recent cyberattack has raised concerns, it also highlights the company’s growing influence and the potential vulnerabilities of AI platforms. As DeepSeek continues to innovate, its impact on the AI industry and geopolitics will undoubtedly be a topic of ongoing discussion.