“For business leaders, I see this as another pivotal moment – one where you should not panic, but pause and consider. The capabilities that have propelled DeepSeek to the forefront are a direct challenge to the resource-intensive approaches that have defined AI development in recent years. That’s why NVIDIA shares fell about 17% yesterday (January 27) – and we know what that means.
The industry’s reliance on expensive infrastructure, such as the StarGate project unveiled by the US government with OpenAI, Oracle and Softbank, driven by heavy investments in chips and data centers, has now been called into question.
Yet, unfortunately, I believe that the effectiveness of a single open source model does not itself rewrite the rules of the global AI race. Rather, I see it as simply adding a new dimension to the fight.
Not a play-off game – but a call to diversify
DeepSeek’s success is not an endgame or a play-off but a prompt call to explore alternative approaches and diversify strategies. For me, it is a reminder that adaptability, not scale, may be the key factor in determining long-term resilience.
Of course, from a geopolitical perspective, DeepSeek’s emergence is a disruptive force. Its rise, achieved despite strict export controls from the US, shows how innovation can thrive even under significant constraints.
This could thus be a sign that the narrative of technological hegemony is shifting, and with it a rebalancing of global influence. For the US, this raises tough questions about the effectiveness of its containment strategies. For Europe, it raises reflections on its own role. Will the EU be able to be protected by its regulatory framework, or will it embrace what is happening and let it lead to progress through research, development and innovation? Regulation has its place, of course, but it cannot replace vision and bold action.
A crossroads for governments and businesses
I see what is happening as a crossroads for governments and businesses, as well as for society at large. AI, now a central force shaping our economies and cultures, is accelerating faster than many of us can fully grasp.
I must be honest… I woke up this morning with mild “DeepSeek afterparty symptoms,” which for me represents a moment to slow down and ask the hard questions: What does this global event mean for sustainability, both environmentally and economically? Can efficiency gains translate into reduced energy consumption, or will they simply increase demand? Most critically, who benefits from these advances—and who will be left behind?
Not just the US versus China
As an AI leader, I see this as a time for reflection, analysis, and then conscious choices. The allure of breakthroughs of this magnitude can easily obscure the broader implications.
For me, this isn’t just about China vs. the US, or open source vs. proprietary systems. It’s about understanding the values that underpin these changes and ensuring that the systems we build reflect those values. Are we innovating for the sake of competition, or are we steering towards a better life, more equitable opportunities and a sustainable future?
DeepSeek is not the conclusion of the story, but a chapter that invites us to reflect – on the systems we trust, the strategies we follow and the kind of world we want AI to create.
There is no easy answer to what comes next, but the task before us is clear: to engage thoughtfully, act responsibly and shape this moment into one of opportunity rather than division.”
