Brainpower or state control?

In this file pic from May 29, 2023, graduates are seen at the gates of Tsinghua University, one of China’s top schools, in Beijing. China produces a vast number of STEM graduates, but it hasn’t been known for innovation. — ©2025 The New York Times Company

DEEPSEEK’s breakthrough in artificial intelligence (AI) has sparked a wave of national pride in China, with many seeing it as proof that the country’s education system rivals – or even surpasses – that of the United States.

The core team behind DeepSeek, the Chinese start-up that has stunned the AI world, was entirely educated in China, according to its founder. This stands in contrast to many Chinese tech firms, which often seek out talent trained abroad.