So, remember when I asked you all about DeepSeek in waves?
Remember development one: the chatbots that couldn’t even spell “recommendation” correctly.
Remember development two: the ones that started writing our resumes and love letters (still waiting for someone to claim the latter as an original idea).
And now, we’re officially in number development three: DeepSeek has entered the chat—literally—and it’s turning heads faster than a cat spotting a laser pointer.
Yes, folks, the big news this week is that DeepSeek, China’s answer to ChatGPT, has arrived like a surprise guest at a dinner party: unexpected, a little too good at small talk, and possibly here to eat your dessert.
Markets have already thrown a collective tantrum about it, wiping out $1 trillion in U.S. tech stocks. NVIDIA lost 17% of its value overnight. (Pro tip: don’t check your portfolio while eating breakfast. Coffee and panic don’t mix.)
But what Is DeepSeek?
For those of you who’ve been living under a rock, or simply too busy doomscrolling on TikTok, DeepSeek is a sleek, new AI model that somehow delivers top-tier performance without costing a gazillion dollars to develop. While OpenAI was over here pouring buckets of cash into GPUs and R&D, DeepSeek apparently just rolled up with a laptop and a dream. (Okay, slight exaggeration, but only slight.)
And the kicker? It’s good at first sight. Like, really good. In benchmark tests, it’s holding its own against ChatGPT and even outpacing it in specific areas, like coding and problem-solving. I mean, coding! You know, the thing I can barely do without accidentally deleting my entire project folder. Yes, I can do that. But testing it for a week now, it has it’s issues.
But… Is It Better?
Okay, here’s the tea. DeepSeek might be a coding whiz, but it’s not perfect. For starters, it lacks some of ChatGPT’s fancier features, like voice mode (because nothing screams “future” like arguing with an AI that sounds like a game show host). It also doesn’t dabble in image generation, which is basically half the fun of these things. I mean, how else are we supposed to generate nightmare fuel like corgi riding a dragon in space?
Plus, there’s the privacy thing. DeepSeek stores all its data in, you guessed it, China. Chats, search history, files you upload, it’s all going into their servers. Sure, they say you can delete your chat history, but let’s be honest: how many of us actually believe that delete buttons really work? Meanwhile, ChatGPT keeps things a bit more, shall we say, Western-world comfortable when it comes to data policies.
Also, DeepSeek refuses to discuss certain “sensitive” topics. Ask it about Tiananmen Square or Taiwan, and it’ll lock up like a kid who didn’t do their homework. ChatGPT, on the other hand, might not always know the full story, but at least it won’t leave you hanging with a government-approved shrug.
DeepSeek is free, but at what cost?
Let’s talk about the price tag. DeepSeek is free, which is great for my wallet but terrible for my trust issues. Call me cynical, but when a product is free, I am usually the product. And there are security breaches. ChatGPT, on the other hand, gives you a choice: free for the basics or a subscription for the premium stuff. At least they’re upfront about making you pay for their fancier tricks.
So… who wins?
Honestly, it depends on what you’re looking for. If you’re all about affordability and don’t mind a side of surveillance, DeepSeek is your new best friend. But if you’re looking for versatility, transparency, and the ability to chat about literally anything (yes, even laser cats), ChatGPT is still holding the crown,for now.
Personally, I’m sticking with ChatGPT, mainly because I’m not ready for China to know about my very specific obsession with vintage waffle irons. (Don’t judge me. It’s a thing.)
The developments keeps coming…
And there you have it: the latest development is here, and it’s equal parts exciting and terrifying. Who knows what the next one will bring? Maybe an AI that reads your mind and tells you what you really want for dinner. Until then, I’ll be here, writing about it and probably yelling into the void.
Catch you in the next developing story, folks. Stay curious, stay skeptical, and for the love of all things caffeinated and calm (yes it sounds contraproductive). And please, back up your files.
