China and the US are locked in a “Robot Wars” battle, as a new Chinese chatbot, DeepSeek R1, has taken the top spot as the most-downloaded free application on the Apple Store in the US, surpassing the popular AI assistant ChatGPT.
The Chinese start-up has unveiled its AI model, which uses less data and operates on older, cheaper computer chips, making it a more affordable option for businesses and individuals.
The development has sent shockwaves through the tech industry, with US companies like Microsoft, Nvidia, and Siemens Energy experiencing a significant loss in their market value.
The rivalry between the two nations has been escalating, with the US imposing restrictions on chip exports to China, but DeepSeek has found a way to bypass these restrictions and establish itself as a major player in the AI market.
The Chinese company’s achievement has raised questions about the future of the US’s technology lead, which has been a key part of its “Make America Great Again” mantra.
As the tech war continues to unfold, some experts are calling for a collaborative approach between the two nations to build advanced AI, while others are warning that the US may struggle to maintain its lead in the face of China’s growing technological prowess.