DeepSeek, Stargate, and the new AI arms race

Decoder with Nilay Patel

Today, we’re talking about DeepSeek, and how the open source AI model built by a Chinese startup has completely upended the conventional wisdom around chatbots, what they can do, and how much they should cost to develop.

We’re also talking about Stargate, OpenAI’s new $500 billion data center venture that’s supposed to supercharge domestic AI infrastructure. Both stand in stark contrast with one another — and represent a new, escalating front in the US-China relationship and the geopolitics of AI. Verge senior AI reporter Kylie Robison joins me to break it all down.

Links:

• Why everyone is freaking out about DeepSeek | Verge
• DeepSeek FAQ | Stratechery
• DeepSeek: all the news about the startup that’s shaking up AI stocks | Verge
• OpenAI and Softbank are starting a $500 billion AI data center company | Verge
• The AI spending frenzy is just getting started | Command Line
• After DeepSeek, VCs face questions about AI investments | NYT
• Satya Nadella on Stargate: ‘All I know is I’m good for my $80 billion’ | Verge
• OpenAI says it has evidence DeepSeek used its model to train competitor | FT
• DeepSeek sparks global AI selloff, Nvidia loses about $593 billion of value | Reuters
• Four big reasons to worry about DeepSeek (and four reasons to calm down) | Platformer

Credits:

Decoder is a production of The Verge and part of the Vox Media Podcast Network.

Our producers are Kate Cox and Nick Statt. Our editor is Ursa Wright.

The Decoder music is by Breakmaster Cylinder.

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