What is DeepSeek AI? Here’s what you need to know
Learn what the DeepSeek AI app is, how it compares to ChatGPT, and more.
DeepSeek AI made waves in January 2025, but what exactly is it, and why is it so popular? Today, we’ll cover the essentials.
We’ll discuss:
- What is DeepSeek?
- Is DeepSeek free?
- How does DeepSeek compare to ChatGPT?
- How is DeepSeek different from OpenAI?
- How to keep safe when using generative AI tools like DeepSeek
- How can AI tools help creators?
What is DeepSeek?
DeepSeek is an AI-powered chatbot app developed in China. If you’ve ever used ChatGPT, you’ll be familiar with how DeepSeek looks and works — you can ask it simple questions or give it detailed, inspirational prompts. The app can help you compose emails, answer queries, spark ideas for creative projects, and more.
The app currently runs the DeepSeek-V3 language model, which boasts a faster inference speed than previous versions. This allows the app to feed prompts into its machine-learning algorithm more quickly, processing and delivering output at a higher tempo.
DeepSeek-V3 rolled out in mid-January, launching to the top of the App Store and Google Play charts. While the app’s popularity largely stems from its language model, DeepSeek also offers coding via the DeepSeek Coder function.
DeepSeeker Coder operates under the DeepSeek-Coder-V2 code language model, and helps users create, debug, and optimize code in a variety of languages. You can follow DeepSeek’s code updates on popular open-source developer platforms like GitHub, or keep an eye on X for general announcements.
Is DeepSeek free?
The DeepSeek app is free to download and use — it’s available from both the App Store and Google Play. DeepSeek can also be accessed on your desktop browser, and through the DeepSeek API.
It’s worth noting that the API is subject to pricing, meaning it’s not free like the mobile and web versions.
How does DeepSeek compare to ChatGPT?
Several users have hailed DeepSeek as the “best” AI chatbot on the market, but it’s hasty to make such assumptions. DeepSeek is reported to match ChatGPT in writing assistance, brainstorming, and learning and research, while some users prefer the former’s coding capabilities.
At the end of the day, the only person who can answer the “DeepSeek vs. ChatGPT” debate is you. If you use generative AI, you’ll likely have your own little quirks, preferences, and ways of working — you might love a feature that the next person can’t stand.
How is DeepSeek different from OpenAI?
OpenAI is the organization behind ChatGPT — it currently uses the well-regarded o1 reasoning model. o1 spends more time “thinking” than previous models, offering well-rounded, detailed replies to complex questions. DeepSeek has developed a similar model, called R1.
DeepSeek states that R1 rivals o1, insofar as R1 is fast, accurate, and cheap. They’ve allegedly kept costs down by using fewer expensive chips and less memory than OpenAI. The latter claims that DeepSeek may have done this by “distilling” and “replicating” their proprietary AI models.
How to keep safe when using generative AI tools like DeepSeek
Like any generative AI tool, DeepSeek shouldn’t be used as a final source of truth — always cross-reference any information you plan to cite from these programs. While they’re convenient and super-powerful, their biases hinge on the data they’re fed.
For example, DeepSeek may not answer politically sensitive prompts. When asked such questions, the program replies: “I am sorry, I cannot answer that question. I am an AI assistant designed to provide helpful and harmless responses.”
On January 27, 2025, DeepSeek experienced a large-scale cyber attack. Following this, new sign-ups were limited. We’d advise against inputting sensitive or confidential data — this goes for DeepSeek and other AI chatbots.
You wouldn’t tell another, virtual third party your bank details or company strategy, and AI chatbots are no different. Keep your private information secure, and use DeepSeek with the same caution you’d show its competitors regarding data collection.
How can AI tools help creators?
AI isn’t an open-and-shut topic. At Epidemic Sound, we believe that AI tools can be used to safely address genuine user needs. We offer a range of AI-powered features, including segmentation, sound-matching capabilities, and more.
We also recognize that human creativity will always transcend technology. That’s why our tools are built to supercharge our users’ creative zest, rather than replace it. If you’d like to learn more about our commitment to artists and content creators in the AI paradigm, click here.
And if you’d like to use our cutting-edge AI tools for your next project, what’s stopping you? Sign up below, where you’ll also gain access to our massive catalog of more than 50,000 next-level tracks and 200,000 unique sound effects and variations.
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*All information published in this article was considered correct at time of writing. You can get in touch with us here for any feedback or corrections.