A new challenger has emerged before the Silicon Valley, where giants like Google, Microsoft, Meta and OpenAI reign supreme. And it’s not from anywhere else in the West. China’s DeepSeek, a state-of-the-art artificial intelligence (AI) model, is making waves globally, challenging the United States’ dominance in AI and signalling a seismic shift in the global tech landscape.
This isn’t just a story about two superpowers locking horns over technology. It’s a narrative that affects every nation, including countries like Pakistan, which are striving to find their footing in an increasingly tech-driven world. DeepSeek’s rise is more than a technological breakthrough; it’s a symbol of China’s ambition to rewrite the rules of global power.
From tanks to technology
Remember the Cold War, when two superpowers competed to build the biggest bombs and the fastest jets? Those days are over. Today, the battlefield is digital, and the weapons are algorithms, data, and AI models. The stakes? Economic supremacy, geopolitical influence, and control over the future.
DeepSeek, developed by China’s top researchers, is a prime example of this new era. With support for over 50 languages and unparalleled data analysis capabilities, it’s a game-changer. Imagine a system that can diagnose diseases faster than a team of doctors, predict market trends with pinpoint accuracy, or even help farmers optimise crop yields. That’s the power of DeepSeek.
But here’s the kicker: DeepSeek isn’t just competing with American models like OpenAI’s ChatGPT — it’s outperforming them in some areas. For instance, DeepSeek’s multilingual capabilities make it a more versatile tool for global applications, from translating ancient texts to breaking down language barriers in international business.
The quantum leap
China’s journey from a manufacturing hub to a tech powerhouse is nothing short of remarkable. Just a decade ago, the country was known more for producing cheap goods than for innovation. But today, it’s home to some of the world’s most advanced technologies, from AI to quantum computing.
How did China do it? The answer lies in strategic planning and relentless investment. In 2017, the Chinese government launched the Next Generation AI Development Plan, setting a bold goal: to become the global leader in AI by 2030. By 2021, China accounted for over 30% of global AI research publications and had invested more than $60 billion in AI development.
DeepSeek is a product of this vision. It’s not just a piece of software; it’s the culmination of years of research, collaboration, and investment. For developing nations like Pakistan, China’s rise offers a valuable lesson: with the right policies and determination, even the most ambitious goals are within reach.
The historical growth of AI applications
To understand the potential of AI, it’s worth looking at how far the technology has come. The roots of modern AI can be traced back to the 1950s, when pioneers like Alan Turing and John McCarthy laid the groundwork for machine learning and neural networks. However, it wasn’t until the 21st century that AI began to transform industries and everyday life.
One of the earliest breakthroughs was IBM’s Deep Blue, which defeated chess champion Garry Kasparov in 1997. While this was a milestone, it was limited to a single task. Fast forward to the 2010s, and AI began to show its true potential.
• 2011: Apple introduced Siri, the first widely used virtual assistant, revolutionising how people interact with technology.
• 2014: Google’s DeepMind developed an AI that could play Atari games at a superhuman level, showcasing the power of reinforcement learning.
• 2016: DeepMind’s AlphaGo defeated world champion Lee Sedol in the ancient game of Go, a feat once thought impossible for machines.
• 2020: OpenAI’s GPT-3 stunned the world with its ability to generate human-like text, paving the way for applications in content creation, customer service, and more.
Today, AI is everywhere. It powers recommendation systems on Netflix and Amazon, enables self-driving cars, and even helps scientists discover new drugs. According to a report by Statista, the global AI market is expected to grow from 62billion in 2020 to over 62 billion in 2020 to over 500 billion by 2024.
Opportunities for Pakistan
For Pakistan, the historical growth of AI offers both inspiration and a roadmap. The country faces numerous challenges — floods, energy shortages, healthcare gaps — and AI could be the key to solving them.
Take agriculture, for example. Pakistan’s economy relies heavily on farming, but unpredictable weather and outdated practices often lead to poor yields. With AI-powered tools like DeepSeek, farmers could access real-time data on weather patterns, soil health, and crop conditions, enabling them to make smarter decisions and boost productivity.
Similarly, in healthcare, AI could revolutionise diagnostics and treatment. Imagine a rural clinic equipped with an AI system that can analyse medical images and detect diseases like cancer in minutes. Such innovations could save countless lives and reduce the burden on Pakistan’s overstretched healthcare system.
But to seize these opportunities, Pakistan needs a clear roadmap. This includes investing in digital infrastructure, promoting STEM education, and creating policies that encourage innovation. Collaboration with China, particularly under initiatives like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), could also play a crucial role in accelerating Pakistan’s technological progress.
Empowering the next generation
Technology is only as powerful as the people who use it. For Pakistan to thrive in the AI era, it must invest in its greatest asset: its youth.
Pakistan is home to a young, dynamic population, with over 60% of its people under the age of 30. This demographic dividend presents a unique opportunity, but only if the next generation is equipped with the skills to harness emerging technologies.
Universities and technical institutes must introduce specialised courses in AI, machine learning, and data science. The government, meanwhile, should launch initiatives to promote AI literacy, such as coding boot camps, innovation challenges, and scholarships for tech students.
Already, young Pakistanis are making their mark in the tech world. Take the example of Saba Gul, a Pakistani entrepreneur who founded Popinjay, a social enterprise that uses AI to connect artisans with global markets. Stories like hers show what’s possible when talent meets opportunity.
Of course, the road to technological progress is fraught with challenges. Pakistan faces a shortage of skilled professionals, limited funding for research, and gaps in policymaking. But these obstacles aren’t insurmountable.
The key is to act now. By prioritising education, fostering collaboration between academia and industry, and creating a supportive ecosystem for innovation, Pakistan can carve out a place in the global tech landscape. The global race for AI dominance is accelerating, and those who fall behind risk being left out of the conversation entirely.
The AI arms race
DeepSeek’s emergence has forced the US to rethink its AI strategy. American policymakers and tech giants are likely to ramp up investment in research and development. The US government has already allocated billions of dollars to AI initiatives, including the National AI Initiative Act of 2020. Tech companies like Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI are also pushing the boundaries of AI, with projects ranging from advanced language models to AI-driven healthcare solutions.
But China isn’t standing still. The country is already looking beyond DeepSeek, with plans to integrate AI into emerging technologies like 6G networks, autonomous vehicles, and smart cities. By 2030, China aims to be the undisputed global leader in AI, and DeepSeek is just the beginning.
Implications for the global order
The rise of DeepSeek isn’t just a technological milestone — it’s a geopolitical game-changer. As AI becomes increasingly central to economic and military power, the balance of global influence is shifting.
For developing nations, this presents both opportunities and risks. On the one hand, access to advanced technologies can accelerate development and improve quality of life. On the other hand, the concentration of technological power in the hands of a few nations could exacerbate inequalities and create new forms of dependency.
To navigate this complex landscape, countries like Pakistan must adopt a proactive approach. This includes building strategic partnerships, investing in local innovation, and advocating for a more inclusive global technological order.
The time to act is now. The future isn’t waiting — and neither should we.
Ayaz Hussain Abbasi is a researcher and PhD scholar in the field cyber security and cybercrime
All facts and information are the sole responsibility of the writer