AI News: DeepSeek Limits Access Following Record Downloads and Disruptions

DeepSeek, a Chinese artificial intelligence startup, has restricted new signups to users with mainland China telephone numbers. The move follows a surge in global interest that caused disruptions to the company’s services. DeepSeek’s chatbot, which offers advanced capabilities at a fraction of the cost of its competitors, has drawn significant attention worldwide.

AI News: DeepSeek Limits Signups As Global Demand Soars

According to a recent AI news, DeepSeek has implemented restrictions requiring new users to have mainland China phone numbers. This measure was introduced after the company experienced record-breaking global demand, resulting in disruptions to its chatbot services. 

The startup’s status page recorded its longest major outage since tracking service availability began. This occurred as its app reached the top of the download charts on Apple and Android platforms.

DeepSeek’s chatbot offers a cost-effective alternative to AI models developed by companies like OpenAI and Meta Platforms Inc. The service’s advanced capabilities, combined with lower operational costs, have made it a contender in the AI industry. The chatbot’s popularity has driven intense interest, pushing the company to its limits. Consequently, this has led to temporary restrictions to stabilize operations.

It is worth noting that AI coins like NEAR, ICP, RENDER, and FIL dropped 8-10% as China’s DeepSeek AI news disrupted the market. DeepSeek’s low-cost AI models, developed for just $6 million, challenge Silicon Valley giants like GPT-4. The AI coin market cap fell 7.66% to below $44 billion, sparking analyst views of a “buy-the-dip” opportunity amid rising competition.

Chinese AI Advances Challenge Global Tech Landscape

DeepSeek’s rise has also drawn attention to China’s growing presence in artificial intelligence. Despite facing restrictions on high-performance AI chips due to geopolitical concerns, DeepSeek managed to create a competitive chatbot using less advanced hardware. 

The startup’s efficient use of resources has sparked a conversation about the global AI industry and the competitive pressures on U.S.-based technology firms.

The company’s low-cost approach contrasts sharply with the substantial investments by U.S. firms. For instance, Meta plans to spend $65 billion on AI development this year, while OpenAI’s Sam Altman has projected that the AI industry may require trillions of dollars in investment for high-demand computing infrastructure. DeepSeek’s achievement has posed a challenge to the traditional dominance of American tech companies in recent AI news.

US Stocks Decline Amid DeepSeek’s Global Surge

Moreover, the Chinese artificial intelligence startup has a ripple effect on the financial markets, particularly in the United States. The S&P 500 fell by 1.84% and the tech-heavy Nasdaq plunged by 2.3%, driven by investor concerns about the competitive edge of American AI companies. 

Nvidia, a leading supplier of AI chips, saw its NVDA stock drop by 16%, reflecting fears about reduced demand for high-cost AI infrastructure. Other tech giants, including Alphabet and Meta, also experienced sharp declines. Analysts have pointed to DeepSeek’s rapid ascent as a factor undermining the confidence in U.S. tech stocks.

Meanwhile, recent AI news indicates that the current AI tech rout and DeepSeek’s rise may support Donald Trump Bitcoin push and BlackRock’s IBIT. DeepSeek’s popularity has fueled speculation about its impact on global markets. Bitcoin and broader crypto values have dropped, highlighting the ripple effects of DeepSeek’s growing dominance in AI innovation.