Apple’s Silicon processors have shifted perspectives on ARM architecture, demonstrating that it can power not just portable devices, but also desktop systems traditionally dominated by Intel.
ARM’s CEO, Rene Haas, recently discussed the DeepSeek debate in an interview, raising doubts regarding one of the central assertions and predicting that China’s AI chatbot would likely face a ban in the US.
Impact of DeepSeek on US Tech Stocks
DeepSeek sent tremors through the AI community by releasing benchmarks that suggested its performance rivaled that of the top models worldwide. Experts swiftly confirmed these findings, sparking worries that China was able to achieve this at a significantly lower development cost compared to US counterparts.
This raised fears that US AI firms might be massively over-valued and that they would soon encounter increased competition. This apprehension led to a decline in stock prices for major tech firms, with Apple notably bucking the trend.
Skepticism Surrounding DeepSeek’s Claims
Central to the unease was China’s assertion that it developed its model with a fraction of the computing resources required by US models like ChatGPT, claiming that software optimization compensated for the use of less expensive hardware.
However, Haas expressed doubt in a Financial Times interview about this assertion.
He stated he doesn’t buy into “the rumors” suggesting “they accomplished this on a shoestring budget… I think that’s where people are misjudging the situation, thinking ‘maybe the world is coming to an end’.”
Haas reasoned that if this indeed were true, US AI organizations would have already begun announcing cuts in their capital expenditures to capitalize on this purported efficiency. So far, that has not been the case.
Predictions on DeepSeek’s Future in the US
Haas also speculated that DeepSeek would likely be banned in the US, clarifying that he does not possess any insider information, but is making what he considers a logical inference.
He doesn’t foresee a positive outcome for DeepSeek, suggesting it will likely “get shut down.” He pointed out that Washington is “scrambling regarding how to handle this situation. Consider this… if you’re unwilling to allow TikTok, why would you permit this?”
Concerns about privacy and national security have already surfaced, particularly with the discovery of several security vulnerabilities within the iOS application.
AI’s Potential in Medical Research
Haas further revealed that the company aims to sell its own chips in the future, rather than just licensing its architecture, and believes that AI could significantly alter the landscape of medical research.
He spoke about leveraging AI in DNA and RNA studies, emphasizing that there is “a real opportunity to find a cure for cancer in our lifetime.”
Image: ARM
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