The rise of Chinese AI app DeepSeek has sent shockwaves through the tech industry, prompting even political leaders to take notice. With claims that its R1 AI model was developed at a fraction of the cost of its competitors, DeepSeek has ignited discussions about the future of AI and its impact on major players like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini.
Just a week after launch, DeepSeek became the most downloaded free app in the US. But how does it compare to its well-established rivals?
AI Writing Capabilities
One of ChatGPT’s biggest strengths is its ability to assist with content creation—whether it’s summarizing information, drafting blog posts, or generating creative content.
To test both models, a request was made to summarize the best Scottish football players of all time and draft a blog post on the topic.
DeepSeek responded in seconds with a top-ten list, covering key players, their clubs, and achievements. However, it mistakenly included non-Scottish players like Brian Laudrup and Henrik Larsson but did provide a valid justification for their inclusion.
ChatGPT’s response contained many of the same players but provided a more structured and detailed blog post, concluding with an insightful reflection on their impact. In this test, DeepSeek performed well, though ChatGPT offered a more refined output.
AI for Coding
AI-powered coding assistance has become an essential tool for developers. When ChatGPT experienced an outage recently, many developers took to social media, expressing their reliance on the AI for daily tasks.
Javier Aguirre, an AI researcher at Samsung Medical Center, noted that DeepSeek was able to solve a particularly complex coding problem that ChatGPT struggled with. Similarly, Google’s Head of Chrome Developer Experience, Addy Osmani, praised DeepSeek’s capabilities and highlighted its affordability compared to competitors like Claude Sonnet and OpenAI’s GPT models.
Brainstorming and Creativity
To assess their creative capabilities, both AI models were asked for story ideas about a boy living on the moon.
ChatGPT provided six neatly summarized ideas, such as a boy named Max who worked as a lunar postman and Oliver who discovered an alien orchestra.
DeepSeek, in contrast, provided a fully developed short story about a boy named Milo. While the story lacked depth, its ability to generate a full-length narrative quickly was impressive.
Historical Analysis
When tasked with explaining the causes of World War I, both AI models performed well. ChatGPT provided a detailed breakdown of events leading to the war, while DeepSeek offered a more concise but accurate summary.
Google’s Gemini also entered the mix, offering a similar overview with the added benefit of links to reputable sources like the Imperial War Museum.
The Future of AI Competition
The simple tests above highlight a more significant trend—the AI race is far from decided. While US tech giants have invested billions into AI, DeepSeek’s rapid rise proves that new players can enter the market and compete effectively.
Prof. Neil Lawrence, a machine learning expert at the University of Cambridge, likened this moment to the steam engine revolution. James Watt didn’t invent the steam engine but significantly improved it. Similarly, he suggests that innovation in AI will likely come from new and unexpected players rather than established giants.
DeepSeek’s emergence showcases how AI is evolving rapidly, and competition will only intensify. As new models continue to push the boundaries, the ultimate winners will be the users benefiting from ever-improving AI technology.
