The approach taken by DeepSeek follows a “modest-budget” philosophy, solving problems with limited capital. This could serve as an inspiration for Vietnam to undertake a similar initiative.

The emergence of DeepSeek has created a significant shockwave, not only within the artificial intelligence (AI) market but also across the global tech industry. In just its first 20 days, DeepSeek attracted over 20 million users, setting a record for growth speed.

This “DeepSeek storm” has sparked critical questions: How has China managed to close the AI gap with the United States so rapidly? More importantly, what lessons can Vietnam learn from this strategy?

DeepSeek as the result of China’s long-term AI strategy

According to Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Xuan Hoai, Director of the Vietnam Institute of Artificial Intelligence, prior to DeepSeek’s launch, many believed China had fallen significantly behind the United States in AI, especially after OpenAI introduced ChatGPT. The 2023 AI Index Report had assessed that China lagged 3-5 years behind the U.S. in the generative AI race.

However, DeepSeek’s debut has changed this perception. In just one year, China not only caught up but also demonstrated an astonishing acceleration in generative AI development.

Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Xuan Hoai emphasizes that this success is not coincidental but rather the result of a well-orchestrated national strategy, with close coordination between the government, enterprises, and research institutions.

In fact, China has set its sights on becoming an AI superpower by 2035, with an estimated domestic AI economy valued at $300 billion. By 2023, the proportion of Chinese businesses applying AI had reached 62%, double that of the U.S. This highlights that China’s focus extends beyond research, actively pushing for widespread AI implementation in practical applications.

According to Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Xuan Hoai, DeepSeek is not merely a product of AI strategy but part of a broader technological and scientific development plan in China.

Sharing his perspective, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Ai Viet, former Director of the Institute of Information Technology at Vietnam National University, Hanoi, noted that after years of studying China’s scientific and technological approach, he was not surprised by DeepSeek’s launch. “While many people were taken aback, I was not. When ChatGPT debuted two years ago, I was expecting China to introduce something distinct, different from ChatGPT.”

Commenting on DeepSeek’s emergence, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Ai Viet remarked that China had chosen the perfect timing for the launch. “It’s no coincidence that DeepSeek was introduced just as former U.S. President Donald Trump was re-elected, right before the Trump administration unveiled the Stargate project. The timing was strategically calculated to impact the U.S. stock market,” he said.

He further predicted that China likely has more strategic “cards” yet to be revealed, but one thing is certain: the country has a clear, methodical plan for scientific and technological advancement and is executing it with unwavering determination.

Agreeing with this assessment, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Xuan Hoai also highlighted that China’s timing for DeepSeek’s release was highly strategic. “American companies have been excessively hyping up large language models. DeepSeek’s arrival was like a timely slap. This indicates that China’s approach is not just a corporate strategy but a national-level plan to compete with the United States,” he explained.

What can Vietnam learn from China’s AI development?

According to Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Ai Viet, focusing solely on DeepSeek does not provide a complete picture of China’s AI ambition. “It’s an interconnected and holistic system,” he noted.

Expanding on this, he explained that science operates within an ecosystem where all components interact. China’s scientific and technological activities are tightly linked within a comprehensive system, making them inseparable and ensuring success.

In fact, China’s “Science and Technology Development Strategy to 2050,” announced by the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2009, laid out a detailed roadmap, mobilizing contributions from 3,000 scientists. Years later, this initiative has been deemed highly successful, surpassing expectations in multiple areas.

Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Xuan Hoai pointed out that DeepSeek’s success is just one visible outcome of a much broader initiative. Producing a breakthrough like DeepSeek requires an entire support system, from enterprises and scientific institutions to national-level policies, with a crucial role played by the state.

According to the Director of the Vietnam Institute of Artificial Intelligence, DeepSeek follows a “modest-budget” approach, solving problems with limited capital. This method could serve as an inspiration for Vietnam to pursue a similar strategy.

Adding his perspective, Professor Tran Thanh Long of Warwick University in the UK emphasized that DeepSeek reflects China’s strategic approach.

From a technological standpoint, it is a testament to China’s ingenuity, especially as the country has faced bans on importing high-end hardware essential for AI development in recent years. As a result, when building DeepSeek, they had to rely on smaller models with more efficient algorithms, which ultimately allowed them to outperform ChatGPT and OpenAI.

“Before DeepSeek, the world assumed that massive investments in computing power, AI centers, and data hubs were necessary for success. However, this approach is not always viable. DeepSeek’s strategy - using smaller but smarter models - has proven to be more sustainable,” Professor Tran Thanh Long remarked.

DeepSeek’s success has also demonstrated the potential of open-source AI, paving the way for broader accessibility and AI innovation globally.

In Vietnam, the Prime Minister introduced the National AI Development Strategy in 2021. More recently, the Politburo issued Resolution 57, emphasizing breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation. This policy serves as fresh momentum, fueling the nation’s ambition to rise through technological development.

Resolution 57 outlines the importance of AI and sets specific goals for its advancement in Vietnam. As global AI competition intensifies - whether between the U.S., China, Europe, or other regions - the DeepSeek story compels Vietnam to reflect on its own path. What must Vietnam do to seize this moment and secure a place on the global technology map?

Trong Dat