Chinese AI companies celebrate DeepSeek, shrug off global curbs

Lian said he believed DeepSeek would dramatically change the generative AI market much like how the introduction of Android phones permanently altered the smartphone industry. — AFP

SHANGHAI: Chinese tech companies shrugged off foreign scrutiny of upstart chatbot maker DeepSeek, telling AFP on Feb 21 they were confident the country's tech startups would make more gains in the global artificial intelligence race.

Hangzhou-based DeepSeek's R1 chatbot stunned industry insiders and became a hero of China's AI sector last month with its ability to match the functions of its Western competitors at a fraction of the cost.