US Export Controls Failed? Chinese AI Startup DeepSeek Surpasses ChatGPT, Becomes Top Free App On Apple’s US App Store In Just Two Weeks

Chinese AI startup DeepSeek has made waves by overtaking ChatGPT as the top-rated free app on Apple’s App Store in the United States (US) as of Monday (27 January). What’s even more impressive is that this milestone comes barely two weeks after the app’s debut on (10 January), according to app analytics firm Sensor Tower, as reported by Hindustan Times.

The app, developed by a Hangzhou-based startup, runs on the DeepSeek-V3 model, which the creators claim outshines many open-source AI models and stands toe-to-toe with some of the world’s best closed-source alternatives.

DeepSeek’s meteoric rise is a testament to China’s growing strength in artificial intelligence, even as the US continues to tighten restrictions aimed at limiting China’s access to advanced AI tools.

This success has reignited debate over the effectiveness of US export controls, introduced during Joe Biden’s presidency in 2021. These restrictions were supposed to curb China’s progress by blocking access to high-performance chips critical for AI development.

Interestingly, DeepSeek’s researchers shared that they trained their model using Nvidia’s H800 chips, which are not as powerful as the ones directly affected by the US bans. Training reportedly cost them under $6 million, which has left some in the US tech industry questioning whether these restrictions are having the intended impact.

Founded in 2023, DeepSeek has quickly emerged as one of the rare Chinese tech firms gaining traction in the US. Users have praised the app for its ability to rival—and sometimes outperform—popular US-developed AI tools. However, much about the company remains a mystery, adding an extra layer of intrigue to its sudden and significant success.