Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis has acknowledged
Deepseek’s AI model as a notable development from China but said it does not
introduce any new scientific breakthroughs.
Speaking at a Google-hosted event in Paris yesterday (Sunday),
ahead of the AI Action Summit, Hassabis described the model as “an impressive
piece of work” and said it demonstrates “extremely good engineering.” However,
he emphasized that the underlying techniques used in the model are already
well-known, CNBC reported.
“I think it’s probably the best work I’ve seen come out of
China,” Hassabis said. He also noted that Deepseek’s AI model has geopolitical
significance, as it showcases China’s ability to develop advanced AI systems.
However, he cautioned against overestimating its impact. “Despite the hype,
there’s no actual new scientific advance … it’s using known techniques,” he
added.
Deepseek’s Cost Claims and Market Impact
Last month, Deepseek released a research paper claiming that
it had trained its AI model at a fraction of the cost incurred by leading AI
firms and used less-advanced Nvidia chips. The announcement had a significant
market impact, triggering a stock sell-off and sparking discussions about the
cost efficiency of AI development.
Hassabis’ comments add to the debate over whether AI firms
are spending excessive amounts on infrastructure. While acknowledging
Deepseek’s engineering capabilities, he pointed out that DeepMind’s recently
launched Gemini 2.0 Flash models are more efficient.
Meanwhile, some experts have questioned Deepseek’s claims
about low-cost development, suggesting that the actual expenses may be higher
than reported.
The AGI Timeline Debate
Hassabis also addressed the broader topic of artificial
general intelligence (AGI), which refers to AI systems with human-like
cognitive abilities. He suggested that AGI could be achieved within the next
five years.
“I think we’re close now, you know, maybe we are only, you
know, perhaps 5 years or something away from a system like that,” he said. He
added that society needs to prepare for the potential consequences of AGI,
ensuring that its benefits are widely distributed while also addressing risks.
Deepseek’s AI model is ‘the best work’ out of China but the hype is ‘exaggerated,’ Google Deepmind CEO says https://t.co/GJLhpT5eQv
— CNBC (@CNBC) February 9, 2025
His remarks align with those of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, who
has said that he is “confident we know how to build AGI as we have
traditionally understood it.” However, concerns remain within the AI community.
Researchers such as Max Tegmark and Yoshua Bengio have warned that AGI could
lead to a loss of human control over AI systems, raising ethical and safety
concerns.
As discussions on AGI continue, the debate over AI
innovation, cost efficiency, and global competition remains at the center of
industry developments.
This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.
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