ChatGPT growth surges despite DeepSeek AI buzz
Despite the buzz surrounding Chinese-owned DeepSeek’s AI platform, U.S.-based OpenAI continues to experience remarkable growth with its ChatGPT. As of February, the San Francisco-based tech company has reported a staggering 400 million weekly active users, marking a 33% increase from 300 million in December.
During an interview with CNBC, the company's chief operating officer, Brad Lightcap, attributed this growth to the natural progression of ChatGPT, making it more useful and familiar to a wider audience. Lightcap emphasized that individuals discover ChatGPT through word of mouth and by observing its utility among friends, highlighting the tool's value over time.
Superiority of ChatGPT Over DeepSeek
According to Unmesh Kulkarni, Head of Gen AI at data analytics company Tredence, ChatGPT stands out as a superior product compared to DeepSeek. Kulkarni acknowledged DeepSeek R1's interesting model with reasoning but noted that it does not consistently outperform GPT's or Gemini models in terms of performance, speed, and accuracy.
Similarly, Robert W. Taylor, counsel at IT law firm Carstens, Allen & Gourley, LLP, echoed concerns about DeepSeek's accuracy when compared to ChatGPT. Taylor cited feedback from testers indicating that DeepSeek may lag behind in accuracy and overall performance, particularly when measured against leading language models.
Security Concerns and User Perception
In addition to performance considerations, the message about DeepSeek's security practices seems to be impacting user perception, particularly among Americans. Taylor highlighted concerns regarding data privacy, noting that DeepSeek's terms and conditions are explicit about user data being sent to China, processed and stored there, and potentially used for training models or other purposes.
These factors, emphasizing ChatGPT's continuous growth and perceived advantages over DeepSeek, have contributed to OpenAI's sustained success in the AI market. As users increasingly recognize the value and functionality of ChatGPT, its user base continues to expand, solidifying its position as a leading AI platform.
For more information, you can read the full article on CNBC.
