DeepSeek closes gap with ChatGPT, Gemini in AI race with R1 upgrade: Cuts hallucinations and improves reasoning
The company revealed details of the new model, DeepSeek-R1-0528, on Thursday via the AI platform Hugging Face, stating that its performance now closely rivals top-tier models such as OpenAI's o3 and Google's Gemini 2.5 Pro. The announcement comes as part of China's ongoing efforts to position itself as a serious contender in the global AI race.
'In terms of comprehensive performance, the updated model is approaching the level of the industry's leading systems,' the startup noted in its Hugging Face release. The upgrade builds upon the success of the original R1, launched in January, which surprised the global AI community by delivering competitive results despite being developed with significantly fewer resources than its Western counterparts.
DeepSeek's rise has captured the imagination of both China's tech sector and political leadership. Following the debut of R1, company founder Liang Wenfeng emerged as a prominent figure within the domestic innovation landscape. His influence was underscored in February when he was invited to a prestigious economic forum hosted by President Xi Jinping. Seated alongside industry titans such as Alibaba's Jack Ma and Tencent's Pony Ma, Liang's presence symbolised the growing confidence in China's home-grown AI talent.
The original R1 model sparked concerns in the West over the pace of China's AI advancements, prompting renewed urgency among major players. Its release also coincided with a brief dip in the share price of Nvidia Corp., the American firm whose chips power much of today's AI infrastructure. However, Nvidia has since recovered, supported by strong data centre investment and optimistic earnings projections.
Based in Hangzhou, DeepSeek is among a new wave of Chinese AI companies striving to challenge the dominance of American tech firms. Its emphasis on cost-efficient yet high-performing models has resonated widely, both at home and abroad.
(With inputs from Bloomberg)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Deccan Herald
5 minutes ago
- Deccan Herald
Gadgets Weekly: New Lenovo LOQ PC series and more
Lenovo's new LOQ PC series with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Lenovo's new LOQ PC series with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50. Credit: Lenovo India Ambrane PowerMini 20 Ambrane PowerMini 20 series. Samsung Soundbars Samsung soundbars. Google collaborates with Shakun Batra to bring AI-generated short films Shakun Batra. Credit: Google India/YouTube (screengrab) Sony XLR Shotgun microphone Panasonic P series and ShinobiPro miniLED TVs Panasonic's ShinobiPro MiniLED TV. Credit: Panasonic Sony NXCAM HXR-NX800, and XDCAM PXW-Z200 cameras Sony's new handheld Camcorders. Credit: Sony Google launches Elder Care Programme in India The Google logo. Credit: Reuters Elista launches new 4K TVs Zoomcar signs deal with Google Cloud to deliver enhaned user experience in cars
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
5 minutes ago
- First Post
'Gehraiyaan' director Shakun Batra on Raanjhanaa's climax being altered by AI: 'It raises concerns because...'
Batra is the first Indian filmmaker to collaborate with Google on an experimental Al- driven storytelling campaign. With this latest campaign, Shakun's Jouska Films explores how Al can reshape storytelling read more Filmmaker Shakun Batra, who has directed Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu, Kapoor & Sons, and Gehraiyaan, is the first Indian filmmaker to collaborate with Google on an experimental Al- driven storytelling campaign. With this latest campaign, Shakun's Jouska Films explores how Al can reshape storytelling & streamline production. And in an exclusive interview with Firstpost, Batra spoke about all of it and also his own films he has directed so far. Edited excerpts from the interview STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD What do you have to say about your collaboration with Google for the AI-driven storytelling? It's been a really exciting space to explore. The collaboration was born out of curiosity—just a genuine interest in what could happen if storytelling and these emerging AI tools met somewhere in the middle. We weren't aiming for perfection; we were testing, playing, pushing boundaries to see what new kind of cinematic language could emerge. Google came in with the same spirit—open to experimentation, which made it feel less like a partnership and more like a creative lab. We're still learning, and that's the most interesting part of it. Do you see AI as a potential threat or a boon in the filmmaking process in India? It's a bit of both—and I think it's important to be honest about that. On one hand, AI can absolutely be a leveller. In India, we have no shortage of stories, but we do often face limitations—budget, access to equipment, time. AI can help reduce those barriers. A student in a small town could potentially create something visually compelling with tools they can afford, without needing a massive crew or infrastructure. That's a huge shift in who gets to tell stories and how. But at the same time, there are real concerns. If we start treating AI as a shortcut that bypasses craft, or if it leads to generic storytelling, we risk losing the richness that comes from effort, collaboration, and time. There's also the question of how AI models are trained—whose work is being used, and whether artists are being credited and compensated. These are ongoing conversations. I don't think we should be blindly optimistic or overly fearful. We need engaged, intentional use—and open dialogue as we move forward. How did this collaboration come about? It started from a place of genuine curiosity. I had been experimenting with some of Google's early AI tools on my own—playing with visual prompts and narrative textures, to see what cinematic language could emerge. That led to conversations with their team, where I shared my interest in pushing storytelling through these tools—not as a gimmick, but as a new kind of craft. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The idea grew organically. There was no big pitch—just shared curiosity about whether we could create something cinematic through AI. That's how the car chase came to life. From that, we decided to develop a special project called Imagine—a series exploring five different ideas using AI to push cinematic storytelling in fresh, emotional, structural ways. It's work-in-progress, but that's precisely the point—to explore, to test, to learn. We recently saw a Hindi film (Raanjhanaa) whose climax was altered with AI. Does this scare or bother you as a filmmaker? It does raise concerns—not because AI was involved, but because the filmmaker's consent wasn't part of the decision. That's the bigger issue. Tools and techniques may change, but creative intent must always remain central. That kind of alteration without the director's voice in the room risks eroding what the art stands for. We need open dialogue and creative integrity—not silent overrides. What do you feel are the advantages of AI? STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Speed and access. You can now visually explore an idea in hours instead of weeks—something that can fundamentally change the storytelling pipeline, especially for filmmakers without big budgets. It also helps bridge collaborative gaps—writers, editors, designers, directors can work in tighter, more visual loops. Used thoughtfully, AI can make creation faster and more thoughtful. The plumber scene in Kapoor and Sons is often viral on social media. What are your memories of shooting it? I'm still pleasantly surprised every time it pops up on my phone. It wasn't something I expected would become such a shareable moment—but it always brings a smile. The whole film was special because of the people and place—Coonoor was magical, and the atmosphere stayed with me. It's probably my most cherished memory from any shoot. The final scene of Gehraiyaan, where the old lady recognizes Deepika, is one of the best cliff-hangers of recent times. Why do you end the film right there, and what do you feel happens next? STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD We ended it there because that moment felt complete. It wasn't about delivering closure—it was about letting everything land in the silence. What happens next? I leave that for the viewer to decide. That's where the emotional weight sits—it becomes theirs, not mine. What are your upcoming projects? When can we see you direct next? Lust stories for Netflix is up next and I'm developing a few projects—some traditional, some experimental. I'm writing again, which feels refreshing. Hopefully very soon.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Decoding US moves: Tariffs on India aren't about India
Until early August, the tariff sparring between Washington and New Delhi looked like another familiar round over soybeans. With China halting purchases and harvests approaching, it seemed like the US was looking for a buyer in India, as soybean farmers are a key MAGA base for Trump. Then, over just three days, the story shifted — from agriculture to a high-stakes game of geopolitics. On Aug 6, President Trump's negotiator, Steve Witkoff, met Russian president Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg for over three hours. Though billed as 'constructive', the talks yielded no major breakthrough. That same day, the White House announced an extra 25% tariff on Indian goods — lifting effective duties toward 50% — and framed the decision partly around New Delhi's continued intake of discounted Russian crude. In India, this was perceived as arm-twisting of its sovereignty, but a larger strategy was at play. The urgency in Washington comes from geopolitics as much as economics. The Ukraine war remains a key focus. In recent months, Russia has made incremental gains in Ukraine, giving it little reason to compromise. Official data showed a year-on-year rise in oil and gas revenues earlier this year, giving the Kremlin fiscal space to sustain the war. On another front, BRICS members are pushing for local-currency energy trade pilots. July's Rio summit saw Brazil and others call for 'economic sovereignty' from the dollar. If those systems take root, US sanctions will have less bite. It appears the White House wants to hit Russian revenues while the leverage window remains open. The domestic political calendar makes this even trickier. The midterms are barely a year away and while inflation has eased, it remains sensitive to fuel prices. Even a small Brent crude spike can quickly translate into higher gasoline costs, eroding consumer sentiment and complicating the Federal Reserve's path to cutting interest rates — a move the administration sees as vital to sustaining growth into 2025. A direct embargo on Russian oil would risk that spike, so Washington needs other channels. Since 2022, India has vaulted from a marginal buyer to Russia's largest swing customer, taking roughly 1-1.8m barrels of crude a day. Unlike private refiners tied to long-term contracts, India's state-owned refiners can quickly adjust their spot purchases when prices or risks change. If India reduces its spot purchases by 200,000 to 300,000 barrels a day, Russia may have to offer bigger discounts to other buyers, cutting its revenue by billions over a year. This would pinch Moscow's earnings and avoid a price surge that hurts American consumers. China, a larger buyer of Russian oil, has so far been spared to avoid disrupting US supply chains and ongoing tariff talks. Early signs suggest the tactic is having a marginal effect in India. One major state refiner recently reported a lower share of Russian crude as discounts narrowed. This is the kind of fine-tuning Washington is aiming for. For New Delhi, the irritation is real. It has watched Washington oscillate between warm words and hard edges — like this tariff move that risks raising Indian fuel costs while shielding US consumers. Yet this is also a moment to read beyond the headlines. Pakistan, despite entering this cycle with less leverage, has found its way into Trump's good books by using a cryptocurrency gambit and backing his bid for a Nobel Peace Prize. This has helped it carve out a tariff deal. India's own leverage is far greater: market size, strategic geography, technology and defence partnerships, and a pivotal role in energy flows. The smart play is to deploy that leverage to meet Trump's immediate need in exchange for wins of India's choosing. When both sides know they hold valuable cards, the game would be to trade them well, rather than escalate. This standoff is about much more than tariffs or a few oil shipments. For Washington, it is a test of whether it can squeeze Russia's war chest without spiking global fuel prices, hold China in check, and prevent the BRICS bloc from hardening into a true economic counterweight — all while keeping US inflation low enough for interest rates to fall. For New Delhi, it is about using its position as the swing buyer in the world's most strategic commodity to protect its autonomy, avoid an unnecessary rupture with America, and still extract tangible gains. The outcome will influence far more than trade flows. It will help decide who has the upper hand in setting oil prices, which currencies dominate energy trade, and whether the next global economic order tilts toward US-led systems or a more multipolar, BRICS-shaped architecture. How India and the US play this hand could echo for years in energy markets, currency systems, and the balance of global power. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
