Though the first clouds started gathering already over the weekend, the release of the DeepSeek artificial intelligence (AI) model and the making of its inner workings open source generated a veritable storm by Monday, January 27.
As Finbold research revealed, DeepSeek’s global Google Trends score increased fiftyfold from 2 to 100 between January 20 and January 27, with the new AI platform surging in popularity.
Despite the tempestuous reaction it caused in the West, global data gathered on January 27 demonstrated that interest in DeepSeek remained highest in China at 100, with Hong Kong holding second place at 22.
Furthermore, no Western countries were among the top ten, with the novel AI platform most searched for, in descending order, in Singapore, Tunisia, Morocco, Nepal, Algeria, Ethiopia, Jordan, and Kenya.
Interest for DeepSeek soars above ChatGPT
Turning to comparative figures once more, DeepSeek also overtook ChatGPT globally on Monday, January 27, holding a slight lead throughout the day with a Google Trends score of 28 vs. OpenAI’s platform’s 25 through most of the day.
Simultaneously, DeepSeek overtook ChatGPT in terms of search interest on Monday, with comparative figures showing the former at 100 – the highest possible for the time and location selected – and the latter at 39.
Such an upsurge in volume is particularly impressive as Finbold research published January 21 showed that ChatGPT remains utterly dominant despite the stiff competition from companies such as Anthropic, Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOGL), and even OpenAI’s long-standing partner, Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT).
The speed with which DeepSeek gained popularity is also evidenced by the fact its mobile app took the top spot in the Google Play Store, as well as by the fact the company suspended smartphone registrations for users outside of China, either due to the sheer volume or, as has been reported, ‘malicious attacks.’
The desktop version, at press time on January 28, remains accessible worldwide.
DeepSeek triggers Silicon Valley bloodbath
The release of the latest version of DeepSeek and, arguably, the decision to make its underlying mechanisms open source in particular triggered a veritable stock market bloodbath in the U.S.
Along with the S&P 500 benchmark index being down 1.46% in the 24-hour chart and the technology-heavy Nasdaq 100 dropping 2.97%, Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) stock collapsed 16.86% within the same time frame, thus experiencing a $600 billion crash in valuation – the single biggest one-company one-day market capitalization fall on record.
Many other big tech firms have also experienced a substantial hit to their stock prices and many are fearful about American venture capitalists. Specifically, the potential return on investment on the billions of dollars poured into AI companies has been called into question due to the reportedly extremely low cost of developing DeepSeek – $6 million.
Chinese AI model generates benefits for consumers, triggers calls for a ban
Still, the introduction of new and powerful competition has had an immediate positive effect on consumers, as OpenAI’s Sam Altman promised additional features to ChatGPT’s paying users.
In response, some have proposed restricting access to Chinese AI platforms or limiting their use of open source software, drawing parallels to protectionist measures previously imposed on China’s EV industry.
Featured image via Shutterstock
