DeepSeek: A Shift in the Balance of Technological Power

The Rise of DeepSeek: A Revolutionary AI in Everyday Use
Changing Perspectives on Technology
Recently, I noticed my 60-year-old father using the DeepSeek app on his phone. This is significant because my dad has always been skeptical about modern technology. He rarely engages with social media or short video platforms; instead, he prefers to read news and stay informed. Yet, there he was, eagerly scrolling through market updates on DeepSeek. This moment made it clear that something profound was happening in technology adoption across various demographics in China.
DeepSeek: A Versatile Tool
DeepSeek has gained traction in numerous areas, from healthcare and finance to everyday life activities. Users are finding a variety of applications for this AI tool, such as:
- Information Retrieval: Quickly searching for news and data.
- Communication: Chatting and discussing various topics.
- Work Organization: Streamlining tasks and managing workflows.
- Entertainment: Engaging in light-hearted activities like fortune-telling.
This blend of practicality and entertainment has helped DeepSeek resonate with a wider audience. The once-complex landscape of technology is now more accessible and relatable to people of all ages.
AI Development Trends: A Global Perspective
In the broader context of artificial intelligence, recent insights from the 2025 Stanford HAI Report highlight a notable shift in performance between AI models from China and the United States. The gap between leading AI models has decreased significantly.
- Historical Performance: In 2023, the performance difference was around 20%. By 2025, this had shrunk to just 0.3%.
- Open-Weight Models: These models, including DeepSeek, have made remarkable advancements, shrinking the gap with proprietary models from 8% in 2024 to merely 1.7% in 2025.
This evolution indicates a transition in the balance of tech power, with DeepSeek emerging as a crucial player in this competitive landscape.
The Shift in AI Dominance
Despite the advancements made by Chinese AI, major U.S. companies still dominate the market. In 2024, a staggering 90% of prominent AI models originated from known commercial firms, with the U.S. accounting for 40 models and China for just 15. Nevertheless, the shrinking performance gap suggests that the world of AI is becoming increasingly competitive.
- Performance Metrics: The top AI model and the tenth-best model’s performance gap reduced from 12% in 2024 to just 5% today.
DeepSeek’s Impressive Growth
DeepSeek’s growth has been extraordinary. According to analytics from aitools.xyz, the app’s monthly traffic has overtaken that of OpenAI’s ChatGPT:
- February 2025: DeepSeek recorded 525 million visits, surpassing ChatGPT, which had 500 million.
- Market Share: By March, DeepSeek captured 6.58% of the global AI tools market, quickly closing in on Canva, which has 8%.
These statistics suggest that DeepSeek is not just a phenomenon limited to China; it is making waves on a global scale.
Embracing Technology Together
Witnessing my father using DeepSeek transformed my perception of technology. It is no longer perceived as a complex or foreign entity but rather as an integral part of our daily lives that everyone can engage with. This surge of technological acceptance represents a quiet revolution that is reshaping our interactions and routines.
The sheer number of DeepSeek visits makes me ponder how many others, like my father, are also starting their journeys with AI tools. The lines that once separated technology enthusiasts from everyday users are disappearing, highlighting a collective move toward embracing innovation.