Eric Schmidt on DeepSeek: A Turning Point in the AI Race

Schmidt Urges Increased US Investment in Open Source AI

Eric Schmidt, the former Chief Executive Officer of Google, has advocated for a significant increase in the United States’ commitment to open source artificial intelligence development.

This call to action was detailed in an opinion piece published Tuesday in The Washington Post, prompted by the emergence of DeepSeek as a formidable competitor.

A Shift in the Global AI Landscape

Schmidt previously asserted that the United States held a lead of two to three years over China in the field of AI. However, the rapid advancement of DeepSeek represents “a turning point” in the global AI race.

According to Schmidt’s analysis, DeepSeek’s success demonstrates China’s capability to effectively compete with established Big Tech companies, even with comparatively limited resources.

Strategies to Counter DeepSeek’s Progress

To effectively address the challenge posed by DeepSeek, Schmidt proposes a three-pronged approach for the United States.

• Develop more open source models: Expanding the availability of openly accessible AI models is crucial.
• Invest in AI infrastructure: Prioritizing infrastructure projects like Stargate will be essential for progress.
• Promote knowledge sharing: Leading AI laboratories should be encouraged to openly share their training methodologies.

Schmidt’s Potential Stake in AI Investment

Schmidt has consistently championed increased U.S. investment in AI, a position that could potentially benefit his own ventures.

His startup, White Stork, is positioned to potentially provide AI-powered drones to the U.S. military in the future.

Furthermore, Schmidt holds investments in Holistic AI, a company focused on assisting organizations with AI regulatory compliance, and Augment, an alternative to GitHub Copilot that leverages open models.