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How DeepSeek crashed the AI party

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January 31, 2025

1Ask AI

The latest episode of The Vergecast with hosts Nilay and David dives deep into the unexpected emergence of DeepSeek, an AI company that has stirred up excitement and controversy in Silicon Valley and the stock market. This summary captures the core discussions and insights from the episode, shedding light on the implications for AI technology and its applications.

The Rise of DeepSeek

In the episode, the hosts introduce DeepSeek's new AI model, Janus-Pro, which claims to outperform existing models like Stable Diffusion and DALL-E 3. The reaction in tech circles was swift, with significant impacts on AI stock prices, particularly for Nvidia, a key player in the GPU market. The hosts contemplate what this means for the future of AI and whether DeepSeek represents the real killer app we've been searching for.

Key Highlights:

  • DeepSeek’s Breakthrough: With the launch of Janus-Pro, DeepSeek has positioned itself as a serious competitor in AI, leading to discussions about its potential to change the landscape.
  • Stock Market Reactions: The hosts analyze the stock market turmoil triggered by announcements around DeepSeek, noting how speculation can heavily influence tech stocks.

Understanding AI Usage: Feedback from Listeners

Following last week's inquiry about how people are using AI in their daily lives, Nilay and David discuss the plethora of user feedback received. Listeners provided insightful anecdotes about their personal experiences with AI, revealing a range of applications beyond the tech industry’s narrative.

Notable Use Cases of AI:

  • Everyday Problem-Solving: Listeners shared stories of using AI for meal planning, managing health conditions, navigating personal relationships, and enhancing communication through carefully crafted emails.
  • AI as a Personal Assistant: The feedback highlighted the effectiveness of AI in daily tasks, from shopping lists to recipe generation, showcasing its growing role as a supportive tool in people's lives.

The AI Killer App Debate

The discussion shifts towards the elusive question of what qualifies as the definitive 'killer app' for AI. While many applications have emerged, the hosts debate whether any have truly met the expectations set by investors and tech enthusiasts.

Core Insights:

  • Comparison to Bluetooth: David suggests that current AI development feels akin to the early days of Bluetooth, where the hype didn’t always match consumer applications. This analogy underlines the uncertainty around AI's future trajectory.
  • Increased Accessibility: With cheaper AI models emerging, there’s potential for broader access to AI tools. However, the consensus is that clarity on their end goals and practical implementations is still lacking.

A Lightning Round on Current Tech Topics

In the lightning round segment, the hosts tackle a variety of tech news topics:

  • Return of the Pebble Smartwatch: Following Google’s announcement to open-source Pebble’s code, there’s excitement about the potential for new wearable technology.
  • FCC Regulatory Moves: Brendan Carr’s controversial decisions regarding ISPs and broadcast licenses provoke discussions about the balance of free speech and regulation in tech.
  • Meta’s Settlement with Trump: The episode wraps up with a discussion about Meta's $25 million settlement with Donald Trump over account suspensions, reflecting the intertwined fate of politics and social media.

Conclusion

Nilay and David's analysis presents a nuanced view of the current state of AI, emphasizing the excitement surrounding DeepSeek while also cautioning against the speculative nature of the stock market. The discussion on user experiences reveals that while AI is indeed becoming integrated into everyday lives, its long-term viability and the presence of a true killer app remain in question. With new developments continuously reshaping the landscape, both tech enthusiasts and casual users are left pondering the future of AI together.

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