DeepSeek AI surpasses ChatGPT as top-rated app on US App Store

Chinese startup DeepSeek’s AI assistant achieved a significant milestone on Monday, becoming the top-rated free application on Apple’s App Store in the United States. The app, powered by the DeepSeek-V3 model, has drawn attention for its advanced capabilities, which rival the most sophisticated AI systems globally. Released on January 10, the application has gained rapid popularity among US users, according to data from Sensor Tower.

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DeepSeek's ascent marks a significant breakthrough for the Hangzhou-based startup, founded in 2023, and challenges assumptions about US dominance in artificial intelligence. The DeepSeek-V3 model, trained on Nvidia’s H800 chips with reported costs under $6 million, has also sparked debate over the effectiveness of US export controls designed to limit China’s access to advanced AI chips. While the specifics of the training process remain disputed, US tech leaders have expressed concerns about the ability of Chinese startups to innovate despite the restrictions.

DeepSeek’s success has left an impression on Silicon Valley, with some praising its performance as surpassing top US AI models. The company joins a growing list of Chinese tech firms producing large-language AI models, but it is the first to achieve recognition on this scale in the US market. The achievement signals China’s growing influence in the global AI landscape, despite ongoing geopolitical and technological barriers.