There is one model that has taken the entire artificial intelligence space by storm. Launched just 10 days ago, it has already become the number one app on the App Store, and everyone is talking about it. Nvidia stocks are plummeting, and the entire AI space is buzzing about DeepSeek R1 from China.
This is an in-depth guide about DeepSeek R1. I’ll first talk about what DeepSeek R1 is, why it’s better than ChatGPT, how to use it in its various forms, and what you can potentially build with it. The possibilities are limitless. Make sure you read till the end, hit the like button, and subscribe from the links below. Let’s dive in.
What is DeepSeek R1?
DeepSeek R1 is a reasoning model recently launched from China, and it has quickly become a favorite for many. If you’re using ChatGPT every day, you need to check out DeepSeek R1 because there’s a significant difference. Along with the model, a research paper was published about how DeepSeek R1 was trained, and the key term is reinforcement learning.
While OpenAI trained ChatGPT through supervised fine-tuning (where data is labeled, and the model picks up patterns), DeepSeek R1 was trained using reinforcement learning. But what is reinforcement learning? Imagine a newborn baby trying to take their first steps.
Instead of knowing how to do it, the baby tries a bunch of things, figures out the best way to stand, and eventually succeeds. Think about learning to ride a bicycle for the first time—you don’t know which muscles to move or how to move them, but through trial and error, you figure it out.
This is the idea behind reinforcement learning. Self-driving vehicles use it to become better drivers, and humanoid robots use it to learn how to walk or perform actions. It’s all based on an agent trying different things, figuring out what gives the most incentives, and repeating actions that increase its score.
When you ask DeepSeek R1 a question, it thinks multiple times about the solution. It first comes up with an answer, reevaluates it, considers ways the answer could be wrong, and then refines it. This process, powered by reinforcement learning, allows DeepSeek to evaluate its answers over time and improve, making it unique.
Additionally, through distillation, a process where a larger model transfers its abilities to a smaller one, DeepSeek R1 can run on smaller laptops with limited specifications. I’ll show you how to do that later in this guide.
Why is DeepSeek R1 Better Than ChatGPT?
If you’re already using ChatGPT, why should you switch to DeepSeek R1? Here are a few reasons:
- It’s Completely Free: DeepSeek R1 offers performance on par with OpenAI’s GPT-4, which costs over $200 per month, but it’s free to use.
- Transparent Thinking Process: Unlike ChatGPT, which hides its reasoning, DeepSeek R1 shows its step-by-step thought process. This is especially useful if you’re trying to learn something, as you can see how the model arrives at its answers.
- Open-Source and Local Use: DeepSeek R1 is completely open-source, meaning you can run it locally on your own device. This allows you to use it offline and train it on specific data for specialized tasks.
- No Need for Advanced Prompts: With ChatGPT, you often need to write detailed prompts to get accurate answers. DeepSeek R1, on the other hand, optimizes its answers automatically, even with simple inputs.
- Cost-Effective API: The API cost for DeepSeek R1 is 27 times cheaper than OpenAI’s GPT-4. This makes it an attractive option for businesses looking to save on costs.
Limitations of DeepSeek R1
While DeepSeek R1 is impressive, it’s not without its flaws:
- Data Privacy Concerns: Personal data queried on DeepSeek’s chat feature is stored in China, which may raise privacy concerns for some users.
- Limited Creative Writing: As a reasoning model, DeepSeek R1 excels in logic, math, and coding but struggles with creative writing tasks.
- Censorship Issues: The model censors questions related to China or its government, especially on the chat version. However, this limitation can be bypassed when running the model locally.
How to Use DeepSeek R1
1. Online via Chat Interface
You can access DeepSeek R1 through its chat interface at chat.deepseek.com. Simply sign in with Google, and you’re ready to go. The interface allows you to ask questions, solve problems, and even build simple applications.
For example, you can ask DeepSeek R1 to solve a math problem like finding the derivative of 1/x. The model will break down the problem into steps, showing its reasoning process before arriving at the final answer.
2. Locally on Your Computer
To run DeepSeek R1 locally, you’ll need to download Ollama, a tool that allows you to run open-source models on your system. Here’s how to do it:
- Download Ollama from ollama.com.
- Install it on your system and open the terminal.
- Download the DeepSeek R1 model (e.g., the 8 billion parameter version).
- Run the model locally and start querying it directly from your terminal.
For a more user-friendly experience, you can use Anything LLM or LM Studio, which provide graphical interfaces for interacting with the model.
What Can You Build with DeepSeek R1?
The possibilities are endless. Here are a few examples:
- Coding Projects: DeepSeek R1 can generate code for games, simulations, or applications. For instance, you can ask it to build a space arcade game in Python or JavaScript, and it will write the code for you.
- Simulations: You can create simulations, such as a rotating triangle with a bouncing ball inside it, using DeepSeek R1’s reasoning capabilities.
- Content Creation: By integrating DeepSeek R1 with tools like Perplexity, you can generate viral content ideas based on real-time news and trends.
- Automations: Use platforms like Make.com to automate tasks such as email replies, social media posting, or customer service scripts powered by DeepSeek R1.
- AI Agents: With Browserpilot, you can create AI agents that perform tasks like booking hotels or ordering food, all powered by DeepSeek R1.
DeepSeek R1 with Perplexity: A Game-Changer
One of the most powerful ways to use DeepSeek R1 is by integrating it with Perplexity, a platform that combines real-time web search with DeepSeek’s reasoning capabilities. This allows you to:
- Get real-time insights on trending topics.
- Generate business ideas or content strategies.
- Access up-to-date news and data without censorship.
With a free Perplexity account, you get three DeepSeek R1 searches per day, while the pro version offers 500 daily searches for $20/month.
Conclusion
DeepSeek R1 is revolutionizing the AI space with its advanced reasoning capabilities, cost-effectiveness, and open-source nature. Whether you’re a developer, researcher, or content creator, this model offers tools to enhance your work and stay ahead of the curve. From running it locally to integrating it with platforms like Perplexity and Make.com, the possibilities are truly limitless.
If you found this guide helpful, let us know in the comments which topic you’d like us to explore further. Don’t forget to share this with a friend and subscribe for more insights on AI and DeepSeek R1. Thanks for reading!

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