Beijing, China – Universities across China have launched artificial intelligence (AI) courses in February, based on the groundbreaking AI models developed by Chinese start-up DeepSeek. This move, described as a “Sputnik moment” for China, has garnered widespread attention and praise from Silicon Valley executives and US tech company engineers.
The initiative aims to boost scientific and technological innovation in schools and universities, creating new sources of growth for the world’s second-largest economy. DeepSeek, a Hangzhou-based start-up, has been lauded for its AI models, DeepSeek-V3 and DeepSeek-R1, which are considered on par with the most advanced models from OpenAI and Meta.
Shenzhen University in southern Guangdong province announced the launch of an AI course based on DeepSeek, which will help students learn about key technologies, as well as address security, privacy, ethics, and other challenges. The course will explore how to balance technological innovation with ethical norms.
Zhejiang University in eastern China began holding special DeepSeek courses in February, while Shanghai Jiao Tong University has deployed DeepSeek to upgrade AI learning tools for its courses. Renmin University of China has also integrated DeepSeek into multiple fields, injecting new power into teaching, research, and campus operations.
In January, China issued its first national action plan to build a “strong education nation” by 2035, aiming to establish a high-quality education system with accessibility and quality among the best in the world.
Mr. Liang Wenfeng, founder of DeepSeek, attended a rare meeting earlier this week with President Xi Jinping and prominent figures from China’s technology sector, including representatives from Alibaba. This meeting underscores the importance of DeepSeek’s contributions to China’s technological advancements and educational initiatives.