DeepSeek is everywhere. It’s open-source.
It’s fast.
And it’s getting close to GPT-4 in quality — at a fraction of the cost.
But here’s the thing: do you know who owns it?
And more importantly — why should you care?
Let’s break it down.
ALSO READ: What Is Agentic AI? Heres Everything You Need to Know?
DeepSeek AI is a Chinese AI company focused on advanced large language models.
Their most popular tools:
• DeepSeek-R1: A reasoning-focused model, open-source
• DeepSeek-V3: Similar to GPT-4 in performance
• Math & Coding tools: Built for specific tasks
It’s open, fast, and growing fast.
Who Really Owns DeepSeek AI?
• Founded: July 2023
• Parent Company: DeepSeek-AI (registered in China)
• Backer: Ubiquant, a powerful hedge fund
• CEO & Team: Not as public-facing as OpenAI, but backed by strong technical leads
This isn’t a solo founder story.
It’s strategic and well-funded.
Ubiquant is one of China’s top quantitative hedge funds — like a Wall Street firm, but more data-driven.
What they bring:
• Billions in capital
• Deep AI infrastructure
• Long-term vision
They’re betting big on AI — not just investing but building it.
Here’s what makes them different:
• Open-source releases (R1, V3)
• API access at just 3% of GPT-4’s cost
• Enterprise-ready tools in progress
They don’t need to chase profits — they can focus on performance and reach.
Most top AI labs are:
• For-profit (OpenAI, Google)
• Ad-driven (Meta)
• Corporate tools (Anthropic, Amazon)
DeepSeek?
• Not chasing revenue
• Backed by finance, not ads
• Built more like a public research lab with funding power
When any AI company rises this fast — especially one backed by a hedge fund — it raises questions.
So far, DeepSeek has:
• Released multiple open-source models
• Been upfront about its investor, Ubiquant
• Opened public access to key benchmarks
But here’s what people are watching:
• Data privacy: How is user input handled?
• Transparency: There’s limited info on internal governance
• Strategic alignment: Ubiquant isn’t just a passive backer — they influence direction
So while DeepSeek looks open, it’s smart to ask: What’s the long-term play?
DeepSeek is proving that different ownership = different results.
Because it’s not run like a tech startup, it can:
• Focus on research over profit
• Release models openly without monetizing every feature
• Operate at speed without the red tape of big tech companies
And with hedge fund money behind it, they don’t need to sell ads or subscriptions to survive.
China is clearly leading the charge with DeepSeek — but other countries are watching.
• U.S. and EU regulators are evaluating open-source AI risks
• National security experts are tracking how models like R1 could be used
• Tech sovereignty is becoming a global concern
In short: Who owns your AI is becoming just as important as how it works.
Yes — and here’s why it matters.
Ownership shapes:
• How the AI behaves
• What’s prioritized (safety, speed, monetization)
• How your data is used or stored
When a hedge fund owns an AI lab, it’s fair to ask:
• Is the model designed to benefit users… or shareholders?
Trust in the model depends on who’s pulling the strings.
Most users never ask, “Who owns this AI?”
But they should.
Because ownership affects:
• How much access you get
• Whether it stays free or becomes paywalled
• How secure your data is
• If the model’s behavior can be changed without notice
Bottom line: Ownership = control.
And you should care who’s in control.
Yes — and it’s already happening.
Governments are:
• Creating AI regulations (like the EU AI Act)
• Calling for transparency in training data
• Considering rules for AI exported from China
DeepSeek may face more scrutiny as it grows internationally — especially if it gains market share outside Asia.
Right now? Yes — if you know what you’re doing.
Here’s what’s available:
• DeepSeek-R1 for reasoning tasks
• DeepSeek-V3 for general use
• Open-source access via HuggingFace and GitHub
Pros:
• Free or low-cost access
• Impressive performance
Cons:
• May not be as stable as GPT or Gemini
• Still early in development
Use it. Just stay aware of what it is — and who’s behind it.
If you want to follow DeepSeek, here’s what to do:
• Check their official site: deepseek.com
• Watch their GitHub: DeepSeek-AI on GitHub
• Follow insiders: Look for Chinese AI researchers on Twitter/X and Substack
DeepSeek moves fast. You’ll want to keep up.
AI is no longer just a tool — it’s infrastructure. Who owns it controls:
• The data
• The access
• The future
DeepSeek’s rise shows that AI power isn’t just in Silicon Valley anymore.
If you care about how AI is used — or what it’s used for — you should care who owns it too.
