7am After DeepSeek: How China outsmarted America
Feb 3, 2025
Emily Barrett, managing editor of The Saturday Paper, delves into the shocking impact of DeepSeek on the global tech landscape. She discusses how this emerging Chinese AI company erased over $1 trillion from U.S. tech firm values, challenging America's dominance. The conversation explores the U.S. response through the Stargate AI initiative, examines the complacency of Silicon Valley, and highlights the race for semiconductor supremacy amidst growing global competition. Barrett raises critical questions about the future viability of established tech giants.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Pre-DeepSeek AI Landscape
- The US dominated the AI landscape before DeepSeek, with significant investment and the brightest minds focused on it.
- The incoming administration prioritized tech, with President Trump announcing the $500 billion Stargate AI project.
US Chip Production Efforts
- The US government invested heavily in domestic chip production through the CHIPS Act to compete with China and secure supply chains.
- Further policies restricted chip supply to China, and efforts were made to boost the global chip industry.
DeepSeek's Disruption
- DeepSeek, led by Liang Wenfeng, emerged in 2023 and disrupted the AI market with its efficient and cost-effective technology called R1.
- DeepSeek's approach challenged US tech companies, highlighting their complacency and overvaluation, according to some observers.