DeepSeek Stays True to Open-Source Ethos Amid Investor Pressure

DeepSeek founder Liang Wenfeng has made a firm decision to keep the company’s core AI models free of charge. He rejected investor suggestions to monetize these programs, emphasizing his commitment to maintaining DeepSeek as an open-source project. This information has been reported by the Wall Street Journal, citing sources familiar with the situation.

DeepSeek plans to release its latest AI model by April, which will focus on solving complex problems. This upcoming model aims to enhance the company's offerings and its appeal to users worldwide.

On February 17, Liang participated in a meeting with Chinese executives and President Xi Jinping. In this meeting, sources indicated that the state-owned Bank of China offered DeepSeek a low-interest loan, potentially providing the resources needed to continue its operations.

Executives from major Chinese tech firms such as Tencent and Alibaba have also met with Liang to explore potential collaborations. However, Liang has shown reluctance towards pursuing external investments, preferring to retain a grassroots, science project approach to his work.

Liang has expressed concerns that external investors could complicate or influence DeepSeek's decision-making processes. Additionally, he noted that affiliation with the Chinese government could hinder the acceptance of DeepSeek's models in international markets.

DeepSeek's chatbot has gained significant popularity, which has led to some service disruptions and has drawn attention from global regulators regarding data security. For instance, the United States has considered restrictions on DeepSeek's operations, including a potential ban on the chatbot's usage on government devices.

Several U.S. allies, including Italy, South Korea, Australia, Canada, and Taiwan, have also limited DeepSeek's services due to concerns over data privacy and national security. The handling of user data by DeepSeek has been a focal point of criticism.

Following DeepSeek's claim that it developed its AI model at a much lower cost than its American competitors, Nvidia saw a staggering $600 billion drop in market capitalization in one day, leading to a substantial $1 trillion decline across the tech market.

Currently, the U.S. government is reportedly investigating DeepSeek for possible violations regarding Nvidia's chip embargo.

DeepSeek, AI, Investment