The Times Tech Podcast DeepSeek and you shall find? With Professor Neil Lawrence
Jan 31, 2025
Neil Lawrence, a Professor of Machine Learning at Cambridge University with a rich background at Amazon and the Allen Turing Institute, dives into the emergence of DeepSeek's R1 language model. He discusses how this newcomer has shaken up the AI landscape and altered the competitive dynamics among tech giants. The conversation also touches on the need for innovative data strategies and the contrasts between various countries' approaches to AI investment. Plus, the vital role of human connection is emphasized in an increasingly tech-driven world.
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DeepSeek Disruption
- DeepSeek's release shook Silicon Valley, impacting major tech companies like NVIDIA.
- This event highlighted potential disruption in the AI landscape and the rapid pace of innovation.
DeepSeek Capabilities
- DeepSeek's large language model emphasizes reasoning and demonstrates capabilities comparable to existing chatbots.
- Notably, it was developed at a fraction of the cost of competitors and is open source.
Hardware Optimization
- DeepSeek's efficient use of GPUs demonstrates remarkable hardware optimization, surpassing typical machine learning expertise.
- This emphasizes a shift in required skills toward hardware optimization in the AI field.