CNBC AI News, July 24th: Recent analysis raises questions about the trajectory of DeepSeek, with a report indicating a dramatic 72.2% drop in monthly downloads. But is this the full story?
A new report, “Q2 2025 AI Application Value Rankings” from QuestMobile, reveals a significant shift. DeepSeek, the champion of Q1, has seen its average monthly downloads plummet from a staggering 81.113 million to 22.589 million. That’s a decline of 72.2%.
While these figures may fuel speculation about DeepSeek’s decline, a closer examination reveals a more nuanced picture. The download numbers, viewed in isolation, can be misleading.
First and foremost: the 72.2% drop in monthly downloads is largely attributable to DeepSeek’s integration into numerous third-party platforms. As DeepSeek powers more cloud services and applications, users are naturally being diverted through these channels, impacting direct app downloads. Think of it as expanding beyond a single storefront—the brand is still present, just distributed differently.
Furthermore, DeepSeek distinguished itself as one of the first to offer its large language model (LLM) for free and open-source use. Insiders suggest that DeepSeek’s founder, Liang Wenfeng, prioritized advancing Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) and focusing on groundbreaking LLM development over building a user-walled garden app. This strategy echoes sentiments shared by industry observers who believe DeepSeek’s core mission resides in pushing the boundaries of AI models, rather than aggressively pursuing user acquisition through a dedicated application.
Finally, a growing segment of users is focusing on specialized AI tools. The “AI+office” sector is witnessing considerable growth, with platforms like “ima” experiencing a 190.2% month-over-month increase in active users. Similarly, “360 Wenku” saw a rise of 134.5%. In the “AI+education” arena, ByteDance’s “Doubao Aixue” boasts 7.562 million monthly active users, while “Kuaidui AI,” by Zuoyebang, is even more popular at 10.444 million. This shift reflects a broader trend towards task-specific AI solutions.
Of course, DeepSeek isn’t without its challenges. A major version update (DeepSeek-R2 has been delayed) is arguably overdue. The rapid pace of innovation among competitors necessitates continuous improvement. User experience, particularly website speed and server stability, has been an area for concern. These factors could be impacting overall user satisfaction and retention.
Therefore, declaring DeepSeek’s demise at this stage would be premature and overly simplistic. The AI landscape is still in its nascent stages. The development of robust domestic computing power (算力) is ongoing. While download numbers provide a snapshot in time, they don’t paint a complete portrait of DeepSeek’s strategic direction, technological capabilities, or long-term potential. The race is far from over, and DeepSeek remains a significant player in the evolving AI ecosystem.
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