DeepSeek and the Future of AI

Braden Samko, Whitney Young, Senior, Spring 2025

It’s almost impossible to avoid hearing something about DeepSeek AI in U.S. media. The Chinese model caught American investors and citizens off guard when it was reported that DeepSeek cost $6 million compared to the $1 trillion American competitors spent in development (Picchi, 2025). The leader and pioneer of modern AI, Nvidia, lost nearly $600 billion in market value (Kopack, 2025). As the powerhouse of the S&P 500, the 500 most valuable American companies, OpenAI’s decline caused the entire American stock market, especially tech-related companies' stocks, to crash due to investors’ fear that Chinese technology is ahead of American technology. Although the AI-dependent U.S. market struggled severely for days due to advancements, DeepSeek isn’t inherently bad for the USA. DeepSeek’s models make AI implementation easier for many different companies everywhere, which is especially noteworthy due to how high-performing and resource-efficient it is. 

Whitney Young student Barry Gordon, frustrated with ChatGPT’s paywalls, was ready for a new model of AI to come out. Barry stated, “I’ve used ChatGPT for help with various assignments, and it always fails me with its limits and costs. I’m excited to use DeepSeek because I can reap the same benefits of GPT without paying.” However, Sajid Imam, an owner of multiple businesses, had very different feelings. Imam found himself using OpenAI’s “ChatGPT” for various purposes, contributing to his company’s success, but DeepSeek’s advancements haven’t changed his usage of AI. Imam said, “I’ve heard about DeepSeek and its merits, but I’ve got no intentions of switching from ChatGPT, due to how reliable it’s been for me previously. I’ve got no reason to switch.” It’s important to recognize that Nvidia’s OpenAI advancements weren’t a complete waste because of how they innovated the sector and AI accessibility. Although much money was lost in the American markets, it’s important to consider how much money Nvidia brought to the markets in the first place. Time will tell what the future of AI will be, but competition and innovation are important in any industry for global economic advancement. 

Sources

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/what-is-deepseek-ai-china-stock-nvidia-nvda-asml/

https://www.nbcnews.com/business/markets/tech-stocks-react-chinas-deepseek-sparks-us-worries-ai-race-rcna189394 

Interviewees:

Barry Gordon, Whitney Young High School Class of 2025

Sajid Imam, Founder and Owner of Chitown Soles and Chitown Cards