Microsoft Adds DeepSeek’s AI Model to Azure, Expands AI Offerings

/in /tarafından

Microsoft announced on Wednesday that it has made DeepSeek’s R1 artificial intelligence model available on its Azure cloud platform and GitHub, expanding its AI offerings. The model will be added to the model catalog, joining over 1,800 other AI models offered by Microsoft, and will be accessible to developers using these platforms.

This move comes just days after DeepSeek launched a free AI assistant that promises to use significantly less data and cost much less than existing services, leading to a surge in downloads. By Monday, the assistant had overtaken OpenAI’s ChatGPT in downloads on Apple’s App Store, causing concern among tech investors.

Microsoft’s adoption of DeepSeek’s R1 model is part of the company’s effort to reduce its reliance on OpenAI, which developed ChatGPT. Microsoft is seeking to integrate both internal and third-party AI models into its flagship Microsoft 365 Copilot product. Additionally, Microsoft plans to offer customers the ability to run the R1 model locally on Copilot+ PCs, which may help address privacy and data-sharing concerns.

DeepSeek’s decision to store user data on servers in China could pose a challenge for its broader adoption in the U.S., where data security is a key concern. Microsoft and OpenAI are also investigating whether a group linked to DeepSeek unlawfully obtained data from OpenAI’s technology.

In response to DeepSeek’s rise in the AI space, OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman announced adjustments to their releases, including a new version of ChatGPT tailored for U.S. government agencies. Meanwhile, Chinese tech giant Alibaba also unveiled a new AI model, Qwen 2.5, marking the start of a busy period in the AI market.

 

Waymo to Expand Autonomous Driving Tests to Over 10 New Cities

/in /tarafından

Alphabet’s self-driving unit, Waymo, announced plans on Wednesday to expand its autonomous driving technology testing to over 10 new cities in 2025. Following successful trials of its Waymo Driver in various locations, the company is now preparing to test its technology in additional urban environments, including San Diego and Las Vegas, among other cities to be revealed later.

Waymo has already conducted trials in regions such as Truckee, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Upstate New York, and Tokyo, and reports that its technology has successfully adapted to these diverse settings. The new expansion will involve a limited fleet of vehicles, with trained human specialists behind the wheel at all times. Testing will begin with manual driving through the most complex areas of each city, such as city centers and freeways.

Initially, fewer than 10 vehicles will be deployed to each location, where they will be manually driven for a few months to evaluate the technology’s performance. This marks a strategic move as Waymo aims to strengthen its autonomous ride-hailing services, having already expanded to Miami, Florida, in December. The company is under close scrutiny from safety regulators, following several incidents involving autonomous driving technology.

In October, Waymo closed a $5.6 billion funding round led by its parent company, Google, as part of its efforts to scale its autonomous services in an increasingly competitive market.

 

Trump Commerce Secretary Nominee Claims DeepSeek Used Stolen U.S. Technology

/in /tarafından

Howard Lutnick, President Donald Trump’s nominee for U.S. Commerce Secretary, accused China’s DeepSeek of creating its advanced AI model “dirt cheap” by using stolen U.S. technology and leveraging advanced U.S. semiconductors. During his testimony before the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, Lutnick vowed to take action against such practices if confirmed, stressing the need to address the misuse of American technological innovations.

Lutnick also advocated for the U.S. to establish a “light touch” model to set global standards for artificial intelligence, similar to the country’s approach to cybersecurity. He emphasized that maintaining leadership in the AI sector requires the U.S. to establish standards that the rest of the world adheres to. “We need to make sure we set standards that the world meets,” Lutnick stated, adding that this approach would help the U.S. maintain its technological dominance.