- DeepSeek, a new AI model from China, has rapidly grown, doubling its user traffic to 12.4 million visits in just two days in late January 2025.
- Despite ChatGPT’s larger user base, its traffic has seen a decline, signaling a possible slowdown in growth, while DeepSeek continues to rise.
- DeepSeek’s cost-effective ‘R1’ model runs on modest hardware, making it an accessible alternative to more resource-intensive AI tools like ChatGPT.
In just two weeks, DeepSeek, an open-source AI model developed by the Chinese startup DeepSeek, has experienced remarkable growth, surpassing ChatGPT in user engagement.
Between January 24 and January 26, 2025, DeepSeek’s daily visits doubled from 6.2 million to 12.4 million, according to Similarweb data.
In contrast, ChatGPT saw a decline in page views during the same period, raising concerns among Western AI leaders about the competitive landscape.
DeepSeek’s Rapid Ascent
DeepSeek’s surge in popularity is attributed to the release of its advanced ‘R1’ model on January 24, 2025. This model has been praised for its performance and cost-effectiveness, offering an open-source alternative to existing AI tools.
The rapid adoption of DeepSeek has led to significant market reactions, including a notable drop in Nvidia’s stock price, highlighting the competitive pressure it poses to established AI companies.
ChatGPT’s Response
Despite DeepSeek’s growth, ChatGPT continues to lead in total page views. However, the recent decline in its page views suggests a potential plateau in user engagement.
This shift indicates that while ChatGPT maintains a larger user base, DeepSeek’s rapid growth is challenging its dominance in the AI space.
DeepSeek’s Technological Advancements
DeepSeek’s ‘R1’ model has been developed with a focus on efficiency and accessibility. Unlike ChatGPT, which requires substantial computational resources, DeepSeek’s model can be run on modest hardware, making it more accessible to a broader range of users.
This approach has been recognized as a significant achievement, especially considering the technological restrictions imposed on China.
Market Implications
The emergence of DeepSeek has prompted reactions from major tech companies. Nvidia’s stock experienced a significant decline, reflecting investor concerns about the competitive threat posed by DeepSeek’s rapid growth.
Additionally, OpenAI has responded by releasing its own AI model, ‘o3-mini,’ aiming to maintain its position in the market.
Conclusion
DeepSeek’s swift rise in the AI sector underscores the dynamic nature of the industry and the increasing competition among AI models.
While ChatGPT remains a dominant player, DeepSeek’s rapid growth and technological advancements highlight the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence.
The coming months will be crucial in determining how these developments will shape the future of AI technology.