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DeepSeek's Open Source AI Fuels Developing Nations
8 Jan
Summary
- DeepSeek's free, open-source models boost AI adoption in developing countries.
- AI adoption grew globally, but the gap between North and South is widening.
- DeepSeek offers a cost-effective alternative to Western AI models.
Chinese tech startup DeepSeek is emerging as a significant force in global artificial intelligence adoption, particularly in developing nations. By offering free and open-source AI models, DeepSeek is lowering barriers to entry, allowing wider access and potentially narrowing the AI adoption gap with advanced economies. This trend is noted in a recent report by Microsoft researchers.
The report indicates that while global generative AI adoption reached 16.3% of the world's population in the three months leading up to December, the divide between AI adoption in developed and developing countries is expanding. AI adoption in the global north grew nearly twice as fast as in the global south, raising concerns about a continuing divergence.
DeepSeek's model, R1, launched in January 2025, has been recognized for its cost-effectiveness compared to Western alternatives. Its availability in regions where U.S. services face restrictions, and often as a default on popular Chinese-made phones, has driven its market share. This open-source approach allows DeepSeek to gain traction in underserved markets, demonstrating that accessibility and availability are as crucial as model quality in shaping global AI adoption.
