DeepSeek Stays Free: Founder Rejects Monetization Amid Investor Pressure

The founder of DeepSeek, Liang Wenfeng, has taken a firm stance against monetizing his AI programs, despite suggestions from investors. Liang is committed to keeping DeepSeek’s core AI models open-source, according to reports from the Wall Street Journal.

DeepSeek plans to unveil its next AI model, which will focus on complex problem-solving, by April. The company is gaining attention globally, and its popularity has led to various partnerships and scrutiny.

Liang has recently met with influential Chinese executives, including discussions with Xi Jinping. Reports suggest that the state-owned Bank of China has offered low-interest loans to the company to support its growth.

In addition, executives from major companies like Alibaba Group Holding and Tencent Holdings have approached Liang to explore potential collaborations.

The founder has deliberately avoided seeking external investments, maintaining a focus on the scientific vision behind DeepSeek. Liang expressed concerns that outside influence could compromise the integrity of DeepSeek's operations.

He has also noted that aligning with Beijing might complicate efforts to gain international acceptance for DeepSeek’s AI technologies. The chatbot developed by DeepSeek has faced technical challenges, resulting in frequent service interruptions, while also attracting international sanctions due to concerns over data security.

In the U.S., the Trump administration is contemplating measures to restrict DeepSeek’s technologies, including possible bans on government devices. Several allies of the U.S., such as Italy, South Korea, Australia, Canada, and Taiwan, have already limited the use of DeepSeek’s products over security worries associated with data handling.

DeepSeek claimed its AI model was developed at a much lower cost compared to its American competitors, leading to a significant drop in the market value of NVIDIA Corp, which lost $600 billion in market capitalization in a single day, triggering a $1 trillion market downturn.

Furthermore, the U.S. is reportedly investigating DeepSeek for possible violations regarding the sales of NVIDIA chips. As a result, the company navigates a complex global landscape filled with challenges and opportunities.

DeepSeek aims to stay true to its mission of being a science project while positioning itself strategically in the competitive AI market.

DeepSeek, AI, Monetization