Eric Schmidt says DeepSeek marks a 'turning point' for the global AI race | TechCrunch
Jan 28, 2025 - techcrunch.com
Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt has urged the United States to enhance its open-source AI initiatives in response to the emergence of DeepSeek, a significant player in the global AI landscape. In a Washington Post op-ed, Schmidt highlighted DeepSeek's rise as a pivotal moment, demonstrating China's ability to compete with major tech companies despite having fewer resources. He emphasized the need for the U.S. to develop open-source models, invest in AI infrastructure like Stargate, and promote the sharing of training methodologies among leading labs.
Schmidt's call to action aligns with his previous recommendations for increased U.S. investment in AI, which could also benefit his business interests. His startup, White Stork, has the potential to supply AI drones to the U.S. military, and he is an investor in Holistic AI, focused on regulatory compliance, and Augment, an open model competitor to GitHub Copilot.
Key takeaways:
Eric Schmidt calls for increased U.S. open-source AI efforts to counter China's DeepSeek.
DeepSeek's rise indicates China's ability to compete with Big Tech using fewer resources.
Schmidt suggests developing open-source models and investing in AI infrastructure like Stargate.
Schmidt's investments, such as White Stork and Holistic AI, may benefit from increased U.S. AI investment.
