DeepSeek said total training costs for its newest AI model amounted to $5.6 million. However, doubts have been raised about DeepSeek's claims.
Last month, semiconductor research firm SemiAnalysis estimated that DeepSeek's hardware spend is higher than $500 million over the company's history, adding that the startup's research and development and ownership costs are significant.
On Sunday, Google DeepMind's Hassabis said DeepSeek's AI model is "probably the best work" he's seen out of China — but added that, from a technology point of view, it was not a big change.