Editor’s note: Yi Xin is a Beijing-based international affairs commentator. The article reflects the author’s opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

Just weeks ago, OpenAI, the golden child of Silicon Valley, found itself facing an unexpected challenger: DeepSeek, a cost-effective Chinese AI model that emerged quietly yet managed to rival OpenAI’s capabilities. Its arrival marks a significant shift in the global AI landscape, signaling the dawn of an inclusive AI era on the horizon.

The myth of AI exceptionalism

When OpenAI was launched in 2015, its mission was clear: to harness technologies as public goods for all people. With its cutting-edge technology and forward-looking vision, OpenAI quickly became a magnet for capital. Wall Street investors scrambled to invest, fearing they might miss the golden ticket to success in the coming AI era. Yet as Wall Street billions flooded in, priorities shifted. “We became prisoners of our own hype,” admitted a former OpenAI engineer.

The industry had long accepted a rigid creed: Groundbreaking AI requires three essential inputs – elite PhDs, proprietary data fortresses and near-infinite funding. The message was clear: Innovation without endless resources wasn’t just difficult, but impossible – a convenient dogma that ensured Silicon Valley’s superiority while the rest of the world scrambles to catch up, if not give up entirely.

This remained the case until January 2025, when an unheralded challenger from Hangzhou, an innovation hub in China, flipped the script. Against all odds, DeepSeek built models that match – and, in some cases surpassed – the capabilities of its Western counterparts at a fraction of the cost. Overnight, the assumption that AI breakthroughs depended on Silicon Valley-scale resources crumbled.

A new playbook

DeepSeek’s breakthrough has not only exposed the fragility of the AI exceptionalism myth but also rewritten the rules of the game. It has shown that innovation is not solely the domain of billion-dollar corporations with deep pockets. Instead, it can flourish in environments where entrepreneurship and creativity take precedence.

Beyond its technical achievements, DeepSeek’s open-source strategy has been a game-changer. By releasing its model parameters and training tools, it has democratized AI development, making it accessible to developers worldwide. This has not only attracted a global community of innovators but has also spurred a wave of creativity and collaboration. The open-source model has become a catalyst for progress, driving the development of new applications and pushing the boundaries of what AI can achieve.

The impact of DeepSeek’s approach has been profound. It has challenged the traditional notion that closed-source systems are the only way to maintain a competitive edge. In fact, it has shown that openness can be a strength, fostering a culture of sharing and collaboration that benefits the entire AI community. As more developers join the open-source movement, the pace of innovation will likely accelerate, leading to even more groundbreaking advancements in the field.

“In the face of a disruptive technology, closed-source moats are sandcastles against the tide,” says Liang Wenfeng, the founder of DeepSeek. “Even if OpenAI remains closed, it can’t prevent being overtaken. True defense isn’t hiding code – it’s cultivating teams where every failure breeds institutional wisdom. That’s how you build an unshakable advantage.”

DeepSeek recommends restaurants in a mall, Shanghai, China, February 26, 2025. /CFP

An open and collaborative AI future

DeepSeek’s success has demonstrated that the future of AI is not about hoarding resources and knowledge but about creating an ecosystem where everyone can contribute and benefit. By embracing openness and collaboration, DeepSeek has brought new thinking for the industry, one that prioritizes innovation, inclusiveness, and the collective advancement of AI technology.

At the Paris AI Action Summit, DeepSeek emerged as a key player. European countries commended DeepSeek, alongside other Chinese firms, for empowering European SMEs and developers who had previously been excluded by the high costs and tech barriers of AI. Clément Delangue, the co-founder of Hugging Face, stated at the summit that, DeepSeek demonstrated that every country could be a part of the AI world, and now the whole world is rushing to catch up.

David Gosset, founder of the China-Europe-America Global Initiative, also wrote in China Daily saying: “Beyond its technological significance, DeepSeek offers a broader geopolitical lesson… Rather than adopting a defensive posture, Western countries should recognize the necessity of competitive engagement with China through internal innovation while also seeking avenues for cooperation.”

With hundreds of thousands of developers using its tools, DeepSeek is breaking down the “black box” of AI development, fostering equity and collaboration. Its open-source model is the first step toward an inclusive AI ecosystem, driving knowledge sharing, innovation, and faster adoption of technological breakthroughs.

DeepSeek’s journey is more than just a technological leap; it is a clarion call for a new era of AI development – one that is defined by openness, collaboration and inclusiveness. As the world watches, DeepSeek is not just rewriting AI’s future, it is inviting everyone to be a part of it.

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