What is DeepSeek AI? Who Owns DeepSeek? Is DeepSeek Safe?

A few months ago, I was looking for new tools to streamline some of my tasks. I’d been using a few AI tools to help with my work—ChatGPT, Perplexity, and a couple of others. But I stumbled across a new name I hadn’t heard before: DeepSeek AI. And for the past few weeks, the news of this new AI has been popping up everywhere. This got my attention. I started digging deep to find out what this new AI is that everyone is talking about, what’s behind the curtain, and whether I should use it. If you’re wondering the same, here’s what I’ve broken down.

What is DeepSeek AI?

DeepSeek AI is an artificial intelligence company that develops large language models (LLMs). These are tools that can be used to generate text, answer complex questions, and help with almost all kinds of content creation and data analysis—just like ChatGPT, Gemini, or other established players in the market.

DeepSeek’s innovative techniques, cost-efficient solutions, and optimization strategies have had an undeniable effect on the AI landscape.

Founded in May 2023 in Hangzhou, China, it’s relatively new to the AI scene, but it’s already making waves, especially with its recent flagship model, DeepSeek-R1.

DeepSeek’s team primarily comprises young, talented graduates from top Chinese universities. The company’s hiring practices prioritize technical abilities over traditional work experience, resulting in a team of highly skilled individuals with a fresh perspective on AI development.

The new model, DeepSeek-R1, has been compared to GPT-4 in terms of performance but comes at a much more affordable cost. That’s part of why it’s getting a lot of attention in a short time—especially from high-tech developers and businesses looking for powerful new tools without the hefty price tag.

While DeepSeek has achieved remarkable success in a short period, it’s also important to note that the company is primarily focused on research and has no detailed plans for widespread commercialization in the near future.

What Makes DeepSeek AI Different?

• Open-Source Models: One of the biggest draws of DeepSeek AI is that its models are open-source, allowing users to tweak, customize, or build on them however they like. This makes it stand out in the global AI competition.
• Cost-Efficiency: While AI tools like GPT-4 are incredibly powerful, they can also be expensive to use. DeepSeek offers high-quality performance at a fraction of the cost, making it appealing to individuals and small businesses alike.
• Versatile Applications: From writing content and analyzing data to assisting in coding and translations, DeepSeek’s models are designed to handle a wide range of tasks.

Who Owns DeepSeek AI?

The DeepSeek startup was founded in 2023 by 40-year-old Chinese entrepreneur Liang Wenfeng. Mr. Liang is now one of the players leading China’s AI revolution as the superpower attempts to keep pace with the dominant industry in the United States.

Mr. Liang studied at the elite Zhejiang University at age 17, majoring in electronics and communication engineering before pursuing a master’s degree in information and communication engineering, which he completed in 2010. He then co-founded a quantitative hedge fund, High-Flyer, in 2015, which uses complex mathematical algorithms for trading instead of human analysis.

Despite his limited media appearances and public statements over the years, Mr. Liang hasn’t been shy about expressing his views on China’s role in the world of AI.

Is DeepSeek AI Safe?

Whenever a new AI tool comes out, this question really does matter—especially one that’s gaining popularity so quickly and is still relatively new. DeepSeek is the latest app with connections to China to hit the top of the Apple App Store charts. But when looking at safety, it’s not just about performance—it’s also about how it handles your data.

What You Should Know About Using DeepSeek AI:

• Data Privacy: Like any other AI platform, be mindful of the information you share—not just with new AI tools but with all AI tools. DeepSeek processes data to generate responses, so it’s always a good idea to avoid inputting sensitive personal information, just as you would with any AI tool.
• Open-Source Transparency: Because DeepSeek’s models are open-source, they’ve been reviewed and scrutinized by developers and researchers worldwide. This level of transparency generally helps build more trust compared to closed-source platforms.
• Standard AI Safety Practices: DeepSeek follows the same general safety protocols as other large AI providers. But as with any tech tool, like social media, the best way to stay safe is to use it responsibly—avoid sharing confidential information and keep your privacy settings updated when available.

DeepSeek’s rise is nothing short of extraordinary. In an era where AI development typically requires massive investment and access to top-tier semiconductors, a small, self-funded Chinese company has managed to shake up the tech industry. With its open-source approach, affordable pricing, and powerful language models, it’s not hard to see why so many people are curious about it.

If you’re looking for a new AI tool to explore, DeepSeek AI is a strong choice among the many new tools emerging in the AI community. It offers powerful capabilities at a lower cost, and if you’re a developer or business in the tech space, its open-source nature is definitely worth checking out. But just like with any AI or tech tool, staying informed about your private information and data security will help you get the most out of it.