In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has advanced by leaps and bounds, transforming various sectors and shaping the future of technology. In this scenario, DeepSeek has caused a stir in the market, emerging as a significant innovation, offering open and accessible AI solutions.
In its latest version, DeepSeek-R1, it not only replicates the capabilities of OpenAI’s GPT-4 model but also challenges its dominance in various benchmarks. Additionally, DeepSeek-R1’s key differentiator is being an open-source model under the MIT license, making it a powerful alternative in the AI field.
DeepSeek-R1 was developed by the Chinese company DeepSeek to address tasks requiring logical reasoning, mathematical problem-solving, and real-time decision-making. This model was designed to demonstrate the logical decision-making process, and one of its main differentiators is allowing users to follow its decision-making process. This feature replicates human decision-making and reasoning, which is especially valuable for applications where transparency in reasoning is essential.
Notably, DeepSeek was developed at a time when international restrictions limited China’s access to cutting-edge AI equipment. To overcome these barriers, the company had to seek alternatives to maximize the use of available resources, leading to the creation of innovative solutions. As a result, DeepSeek-R1 allows the use of existing hardware, ensuring efficiency without relying on highly specialized infrastructure.
Traditionally, Large Language Models (LLMs) like GPT-4, Claude, and Llama present challenges for broader adoption, such as high computational requirements, the need for complex infrastructure comparable to supercomputers, and dependence on high-performance AI accelerators. These factors significantly increase development and operational costs, making this technology inaccessible. However, history shows that disruptive innovations often overcome these barriers, reducing costs and expanding access.
Thus, DeepSeek exemplifies this pattern, demonstrating that even incumbent companies dominating this market can be challenged and are not comfortably protected by their technological leadership. The impact has been significant in the sector, and it is estimated that leading companies in the industry have lost $1 trillion in market value due to emerging competition from open and more accessible models.
On the other hand, the spread of DeepSeek has also raised concerns in some governments. Countries like Italy, Thailand, South Korea, and Australia have imposed restrictions on the use of its applications, especially by public employees. In the United States, similar measures have been adopted, based on security concerns, similar to restrictions applied to companies like Huawei and TikTok.
It is worth noting that these restrictions apply to the applications and the web page but not necessarily to the model itself. However, security experts, such as Seekr and Enkrypt AI, warn about potential vulnerabilities in the model that still need further investigation.
Generally speaking, just as with personal computing, the internet, and cloud computing, LLMs are on their way to becoming a more accessible technology. With new solutions reducing costs and simplifying infrastructure, the adoption of these models is expected to accelerate, profoundly impacting various sectors.
Looking ahead, more compact models like DeepSeek may be ideal for implementation in trusted enclave environments. These environments allow completely secure and encrypted processing of sensitive data, ensuring integrity and privacy—which is essential for privacy-preserving machine learning (PPML).
This is crucial to meet the growing demand for autonomous AI agents in applications handling sensitive data, ensuring efficiency and security. As AI becomes increasingly central to the global economy and security, reliable and secure infrastructures are needed to meet the demand for AI agents in sensitive applications requiring security and trust.
In this scenario, RT-One is bringing a strategic breakthrough with the construction of the first AI-focused data center in Brazil, in the city of Maringá, Paraná. This initiative aims to strengthen the country’s computing infrastructure, boosting artificial intelligence and cybersecurity at a national level.
With infrastructure optimized for AI and confidential computing, RT-One and its technology partners are bringing advanced AI solutions to Brazil, ensuring high performance and protection of sensitive data.
In summary, DeepSeek represents a significant advancement in the field of artificial intelligence, offering a powerful and accessible alternative to dominant models. Its impact is already evident in the global market, accelerating the democratization of AI and raising debates about security, regulation, and technological infrastructure.
RT-One is aligned with this revolution, preparing for a future where AI, data security, and digital sovereignty go hand in hand, with the potential to transform various sectors and applications. By strengthening Brazil’s technological infrastructure, RT-One seeks to promote innovation in the country, creating the foundation for advances in research and development of new technologies and ensuring greater digital autonomy.
Fernando Palamone is an executive with over 30 years of experience managing technologies in global markets such as the USA, Europe, and Asia, with stints at Intel, Cisco, VMware, IBM, among others.
