The profundity of DeepSeek’s challenge to America
The challenge posed to America by China’s DeepSeek artificial intelligence (AI) system is profound, calling into question the US’ overall approach to confronting China. DeepSeek offers innovative solutions starting from an original position of weakness.
America believed that by monopolizing the use and development of sophisticated microchips, it would forever cripple China’s technological advancement. In reality, it did not happen. The inventive and resourceful Chinese found engineering workarounds to bypass American barriers.
It set a precedent and something to consider. It could happen every time with any future American technology; we shall see why. That said, American technology remains the icebreaker, the force that opens new frontiers and horizons.
Impossible linear competitions
The issue lies in the terms of the technological “race.” If the competition is purely a linear game of technological catch-up between the US and China, the Chinese—with their ingenuity and vast resources— might hold an almost insurmountable advantage.
For example, China churns out four million engineering graduates annually, nearly more than the rest of the world combined, and has a massive, semi-planned economy capable of concentrating resources on priority objectives in ways America can hardly match.
Beijing has millions of engineers and billions to invest without the immediate pressure for financial returns (unlike US companies, which face market-driven obligations and expectations). Thus, China will likely always catch up to and overtake the latest American innovations. It might close the gap on every technology the US introduces.
Beijing does not need to scour the globe for breakthroughs or conserve resources in its quest for