OpenAI's Altman: DeepSeek's R1 Model Impressive, But Questions Remain

Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, has praised the DeepSeek R1 model, calling it "impressive." However, the sudden rise of this Chinese AI startup has raised concerns and questions about its true capabilities and potential impact on the global AI landscape.

DeepSeek, founded by hedge fund manager Liang Wenfeng in late 2023, has made waves with its latest AI model, R1. The model, released in January 2025, has been lauded for its performance, which matches or even surpasses that of leading AI models like OpenAI's ChatGPT. DeepSeek claims that R1 was developed in just two months for under $6 million, a fraction of the cost of other AI models developed by major tech companies.

The DeepSeek app has surged in popularity, topping the charts on Apple's App Store and surpassing ChatGPT in downloads. However, the rapid ascension of DeepSeek has raised concerns about the company's background and the potential implications of its success.

One of the main concerns is the lack of transparency surrounding DeepSeek's operations and funding. As a Chinese startup, DeepSeek's activities and financial backing are not as well-documented as those of its Western counterparts. This lack of transparency has led some to question the true capabilities and potential impact of the DeepSeek R1 model.

Another concern is the potential for DeepSeek's success to disrupt the established AI platforms and ecosystems. The low cost and high efficiency of the DeepSeek R1 model could challenge the dominance of major AI players like OpenAI, Meta, and Google. This disruption could lead to more competition in the sector, potentially turning powerful LLMs from an expensive service for the deep-pocketed into a cheap utility anyone can access.

Despite these concerns, Altman's praise for the DeepSeek R1 model highlights the potential for AI innovation to come from unexpected sources. The rapid development and deployment of the R1 model demonstrate the potential for AI to evolve quickly and disrupt established norms.



The open-source nature of the DeepSeek R1 model also presents opportunities for collaboration and innovation within the AI community. By making the model's codebase public, DeepSeek encourages others to build upon, improve, and share their work, leading to a more diverse and robust AI ecosystem.

In conclusion, the praise from OpenAI's Altman for the DeepSeek R1 model highlights the potential for AI innovation to come from unexpected sources. However, the lack of transparency surrounding DeepSeek's operations and the potential for its success to disrupt established AI platforms raise concerns about the true capabilities and implications of the model. As the AI landscape continues to evolve, it is essential to remain vigilant and consider the potential impacts of new players and technologies on the broader ecosystem.

Important note: Investors are reminded to do their due diligence and not rely on the information provided as financial advice. Consider this article as supplementing your required research. Please always apply independent thinking.