Artificial Intelligence 
(AI) has been changing how we live, work, and learn. Two big players in this field are DeepSeek, a Chinese-developed AI, and ChatGPT, a program developed by OpenAI in the United States. While both are designed to help people find information and answer questions, they have significant differences in how they work, how they were created, and the impact they are having globally.
What Is DeepSeek?
DeepSeek is a new AI chatbot that was developed in China and has gained massive popularity in a short time. It recently became the most downloaded free app on the Apple App Store in countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, and China. This is a big deal because the AI market is already crowded with competitors like ChatGPT.
One reason DeepSeek is so popular is its cost efficiency. Reports show that DeepSeek was created for less than $6 million. For comparison, developing advanced AI systems like ChatGPT has often cost hundreds of millions of dollars. In addition to being cheaper to develop, DeepSeek uses fewer computer chips to operate. This means it requires less computing power, making it a more affordable option for users and companies alike.
DeepSeek stands out because of how it processes and delivers information. Unlike ChatGPT, which often gives answers without explaining its reasoning, DeepSeek is designed to show its thought process.
For example, when you ask it a question, it explains the steps it took to find the answer. This makes it feel like you’re talking to someone who is teaching you rather than just telling you the answer.
However, there’s a catch. DeepSeek has been noted to avoid certain topics, especially political ones related to China.
For instance, it avoids discussions that might criticize the Chinese government or talk about controversial issues. This has raised concerns among experts about censorship and freedom of speech.
ChatGPT, created by OpenAI, is one of the most widely used AI chatbots in the world. It was trained on a vast amount of data and is designed to provide natural, conversational responses to a wide variety of questions. ChatGPT is often praised for its ability to help with creative tasks, like writing stories or solving complex problems, and for being adaptable in many industries.
Unlike DeepSeek, ChatGPT doesn’t explain its reasoning in detail unless prompted to. However, it’s known for being open to discussing a broader range of topics, including sensitive or controversial ones, as long as they don’t violate OpenAI’s content guidelines.
Key Differences Between DeepSeek and ChatGPT
Feature | DeepSeek* | ChatGPT |
Cost of Development | Less than $6 million* | Hundreds of millions of dollars |
Computing Power | Uses fewer chips, more efficient* | Requires significant computing power |
Reasoning, Transparency | Explains its thought process | Doesn’t always explain reasoning |
Censorship | Avoids certain topics, especially political issues | Open to broader discussions, within guidelines |
Popularity | Recently became a top app globally | Widely popular for several years |
- As published
The rapid rise of DeepSeek has had major effects on the tech world. For example, Nvidia, a company that makes computer chips used in AI development, saw its stock price drop by 12%. This is because DeepSeek’s efficient use of fewer chips might reduce the demand for high-powered hardware, which Nvidia specializes in.
Meanwhile, in the United States, there’s growing concern about keeping up with China’s advancements in AI. In response, President Donald Trump recently announced a $500 billion investment in AI research and development. This huge investment shows how important AI has become to national security and global competitiveness.
The competition between DeepSeek and ChatGPT represents more than just a race to make the best chatbot. It’s also about innovation, ethics, and global influence. While DeepSeek is cheaper and more efficient, its censorship issues raise important questions about freedom of information. On the other hand, ChatGPT, while more open, requires significantly more resources to operate, which can limit its accessibility in some regions.
As AI continues to evolve, it’s clear that both DeepSeek and ChatGPT have their strengths and weaknesses. DeepSeek shows that advanced AI doesn’t have to be expensive, which could make it more accessible to people around the world. However, its limitations in discussing sensitive topics highlight the importance of balancing innovation with ethical considerations.
On the other hand, ChatGPT has set the standard for AI chatbots, offering openness and creativity but at a higher cost. As these two systems continue to compete, they will push each other—and the entire AI industry—to improve.