Tech Desk 
Jan 27, 2025
The Chinese startup DeepSeek has developed a new cutting-edge model, DeepSeek R1, which has emerged as a strong opponent against OpenAI, the developer behind ChatGPT, in the artificial intelligence (AI) race.
The innovative AI model has gained global recognition for its impressive performance and efficiency, not to mention its rating surpassing that of ChatGPT on Apple's App Store in the US.
What is DeepSeek R1
DeepSeek R1 is a large language model (LLM) designed for advanced reasoning and problem-solving tasks. This cutting-edge model is being hailed as a strong competitor to OpenAI's GPT models, such as ChatGPT.
According to the Hangzhou-based startup, the DeepSeek R1 matches or even surpasses ChatGPT's capabilities in areas such as mathematics and coding, while being significantly more cost-effective.
However, what sets DeepSeek R1 apart is its unique hybrid architecture and "chain of thought" reasoning method, which enables it to break down complex problems step by step.
This approach is similar to GPT models but with a focus on greater efficiency.
DeepSeek R1 key benefits
The AI model has high-performance capabilities at lower costs, making it an attractive option for researchers and developers with limited access to advanced technology or funding.
Additionally, the open-source smaller versions of R1 provide advanced AI tools to a broader audience. These smaller models can run locally on laptops, democratising AI access.
While comparisons between DeepSeek R1 and ChatGPT are ongoing, the initial results have suggested that R1 offers similar functionality to ChatGPT at a lower cost.
