DeepSeek is a Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) startup that has rapidly emerged as a significant player in the AI industry. Founded in 2023 as a spin-off from the hedge fund High-Flyer, DeepSeek has developed advanced AI language models that rival leading global counterparts.

In December 2024, DeepSeek released its flagship model, DeepSeek-V3, which achieved a significant breakthrough in inference speed over previous models. This model has been recognized for its efficiency and performance, topping leaderboards among open-source models.

The company's innovative approach has attracted attention from major tech firms. Executives from companies like Alphabet, AMD, Amazon, and Airbnb have discussed DeepSeek's impact during earnings calls, noting its cost-effective AI models and the competitive implications for their businesses.

DeepSeek offers its AI assistant, powered by the DeepSeek-V3 model, across various platforms, including web, app, and API. The assistant is designed to assist with tasks such as coding, content creation, and file reading, providing users with a versatile tool for various applications.

The company's rapid advancements have prompted responses from industry leaders. For instance, Baidu announced plans to make its latest Ernie AI model open-source, a move seen as a strategic response to the competition posed by DeepSeek.

DeepSeek's emergence has also influenced market dynamics, with companies like Nvidia experiencing fluctuations in stock value due to the competitive pressures introduced by DeepSeek's cost-effective AI models.

Overall, DeepSeek's innovative models and strategic initiatives have positioned it as a disruptive force in the AI sector, challenging established players and contributing to the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence.