DeepSeek’s Progress Shows Rise of China’s AI Companies, Says Chinese Official 

The DeepSeek logo is seen in this illustration taken Jan. 27, 2025. (Reuters)
The DeepSeek logo is seen in this illustration taken Jan. 27, 2025. (Reuters)
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DeepSeek’s Progress Shows Rise of China’s AI Companies, Says Chinese Official 

The DeepSeek logo is seen in this illustration taken Jan. 27, 2025. (Reuters)
The DeepSeek logo is seen in this illustration taken Jan. 27, 2025. (Reuters)

The progress of DeepSeek reflects the rise of Chinese companies in artificial intelligence (AI), a spokesperson for China's parliament told reporters on Tuesday.

Lou Qinjian, responding to a question on China's progress in AI, said what DeepSeek's young team had achieved was "commendable".

"DeepSeek adheres to an open-source approach and promotes the widespread application of AI technology globally which contributes Chinese wisdom to the world," he said.

"Through the rise of companies like DeepSeek, we can see the innovation and inclusiveness of China's technological development."

AI startup DeepSeek has been lauded in China since it recently rattled the global tech sector by rolling out AI models that cost a fraction of those being developed by US rivals such as OpenAI.

While some governments such as South Korea and Italy have removed DeepSeek's chatbot from national app stores, citing privacy concerns, it has been firmly embraced in China with local governments to tech firms integrating it into their systems.

The Hangzhou-based firm is accelerating the launch of the successor to January's R1 model, Reuters reported last month.



Apple Ordered by EU Antitrust Regulators to Open up to Rivals

Apple iPhones are seen inside India's first Apple retail store during a media preview, a day ahead of its launch in Mumbai, India, April 17, 2023. REUTERS/Francis Mascarenhas/File Photo
Apple iPhones are seen inside India's first Apple retail store during a media preview, a day ahead of its launch in Mumbai, India, April 17, 2023. REUTERS/Francis Mascarenhas/File Photo
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Apple Ordered by EU Antitrust Regulators to Open up to Rivals

Apple iPhones are seen inside India's first Apple retail store during a media preview, a day ahead of its launch in Mumbai, India, April 17, 2023. REUTERS/Francis Mascarenhas/File Photo
Apple iPhones are seen inside India's first Apple retail store during a media preview, a day ahead of its launch in Mumbai, India, April 17, 2023. REUTERS/Francis Mascarenhas/File Photo

Apple was ordered by EU antitrust regulators on Wednesday to open up its closed ecosystem to rivals, with the latter spelling out details on how to go about it in line with the bloc's landmark rules and where non-compliance could lead to an investigation and fines.

The move by the European Commission came six months after it opened so-called specification proceedings to ensure that the iPhone maker complies with the Digital Markets Act (DMA) which seeks to rein in the power of Big Tech.

The first EU order requires Apple to give rival makers of smartphones, headphones and virtual reality headsets access to its technology and mobile operating system so they can connect with iPhones and iPads seamlessly, Reuters reported.

The second EU order sets out a detailed process and timeline for Apple to respond to interoperability requests from app developers.

Apple slammed the EU order, saying it would hurt users and help its rivals.

"Today's decisions wrap us in red tape, slowing down Apple's ability to innovate for users in Europe and forcing us to give away our new features for free to companies who don't have to play by the same rules," the company said in an email.

"It's bad for our products and for our European users. We will continue to work with the European Commission to help them understand our concerns on behalf of our users," added Apple.

"With these decision, we are simply implementing the law, and providing regulatory certainty both to Apple and to developers," EU antitrust chief Teresa Ribera said in a statement.

Apple could face an investigation if regulators subsequently find that it has not followed through on the order that could lead to a fine as much as 10% of its global annual sales.