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What Is DeepSeek & Why Is It Shaking Up The AI World?
The Chinese startup has already caught the tech world’s attention with its cost-efficient and high-performing open-source models.

DeepSeek, a rising AI startup from China, has caught the tech world’s attention by showcasing cutting-edge artificial intelligence models that rival top-tier chatbots at a fraction of the cost. Despite being less than two years old, the company has sparked both admiration and unease in Silicon Valley. The buzz escalated when DeepSeek’s app shot to the top of the iPhone download chart in the U.S. earlier this year, sending shockwaves through global tech stock markets.
Founded in 2023 by Liang Wenfeng, the leader of AI-powered quant hedge fund High-Flyer, DeepSeek has embraced an open-source approach. This transparency allows developers worldwide to examine and refine the software, creating opportunities for widespread collaboration and potentially making it easier to create new chatbot applications.
However, what really sets DeepSeek apart from rivals is its unique ability to articulate reasoning before delivering responses to prompts, offering users greater insight into the AI’s decision-making process. In addition, the company claims its R1 model already matches the performance of OpenAI’s latest releases.
Lower Costs, Bigger Questions
DeepSeek’s AI models are notable not just for their quality but also for their cost-efficiency. Although details remain vague, the company claims its models require significantly less investment to train and operate than those of industry leaders like OpenAI or Meta. This raises questions about the necessity of the vast sums companies have funneled into AI infrastructure — Meta alone has projected over $65 billion in spending for 2025.
DeepSeek’s efficiency has already sparked a price war among major Chinese AI developers, driving costs down across the board. For global competitors, DeepSeek’s rise could pressure established players to completely rethink their pricing strategies in order to hold their ground.
Also Read: Top Free AI Chatbots Available In The Middle East
Shaping The Future Of AI
With developers around the globe actively exploring DeepSeek’s open-source software to build new tools and applications, we could soon see hastened adoption of far more advanced AI reasoning models.
However, this rapid progress also amplifies concerns about responsible AI development. As more powerful tools become accessible, the call for stronger regulation to manage their deployment may grow louder.
In the short term, DeepSeek’s innovations are forcing the AI industry to rapidly adapt. Whether it’s prompting competitors to lower costs, rethink infrastructure investments, or accelerate regulatory discussions, this young startup is already making waves far beyond its size.
News
Checkout.com Set To Launch Card Issuing In The UAE
The payment service provider’s expansion is a first-of-its-kind investment and could reshape digital transactions across the region.

Checkout.com is laying the groundwork to become the first global payments platform to introduce card issuing in the United Arab Emirates — a move that could reshape how businesses in the region manage financial transactions.
The company plans to roll out its domestic card issuance offering in the UAE by 2026, subject to regulatory approval. The launch would give businesses the tools to issue both physical and virtual branded cards. This, in turn, opens up new ways to reward customers, streamline expense processes, and handle B2B payouts efficiently.
Checkout.com’s CEO and Founder, Guillaume Pousaz, revealed the plans during Thrive Abu Dhabi, the firm’s debut conference in the Emirates. Joined on stage by Remo Giovanni Abbondandolo, General Manager for MENA, Pousaz presented to an audience of over 150 partners and merchants at Saadiyat Island. Also in attendance was H.E. Omar Sultan Al Olama, the UAE’s Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications.
Abbondandolo highlighted the strategic importance of the announcement: “As a global business, we focus on bringing products to markets that our customers want and need. Today’s announcement is proof of our commitment to the MENA region and its rising influence in the digital economy. The appetite for innovation here is real, and we’re proud to be building the infrastructure that powers it”.
One early adopter of Checkout.com’s UAE acquiring services is Headout, a travel experiences marketplace, which recently named the payment provider as its main partner in Europe. The company has already begun card issuing there and is keen to expand that offering into MENA once approval is granted.
The expansion of services in the UAE and beyond builds on Checkout.com’s track record in the region. It was the first global payments firm to secure a Retail Payment Services license from the UAE’s Central Bank and was instrumental in rolling out Mada and Apple Pay in both the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
Also Read: Protecting Your WhatsApp Account From Hackers: Kaspersky Expert Tips
The firm has also been rolling out new products: One of the latest is Flow Remember Me, currently in beta testing. It allows shoppers to store their card information once and access it across Checkout.com’s entire network, potentially cutting checkout times by up to 70%.
Earlier this year, Checkout.com also introduced Visa Direct’s Push-to-Card solution in the UAE, enabling both domestic and international payouts. Its collaboration with Mastercard has grown as well, making it easier for businesses to send funds directly to third-party cards securely and quickly.
With regional tech ambitions on the rise — spurred by initiatives like Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the UAE’s 2031 Agenda — Checkout.com sees its role as one of a key enabler. “Our mission is to help ambitious businesses navigate the complexity of payments, so they can move faster, go further, and make the most of every opportunity,” said Abbondandolo. “In MENA, performance is personal. It’s local. It’s built on trust. And when payments perform, businesses thrive”.