DeepSeek’s Free AI Model Gains Traction in Developing Nations Amid Widening Global Divide
Microsoft's latest report reveals a 16.3% global adoption rate for generative AI tools in Q4, up from 15.1% the previous quarter. The growth, however, underscores a deepening disparity: wealthy nations are adopting AI at nearly twice the rate of developing economies. The UAE, Singapore, France, and Spain lead in usage, with South Korea emerging as a standout adopter.
DeepSeek's open-source R1 model, launched in January 2025, is disrupting traditional markets by offering free access to AI technology. Its cost-efficient infrastructure—positioned as cheaper to run than OpenAI's solutions—is accelerating adoption in lower-income regions. Juan Lavista Ferres of Microsoft's AI for Good Lab warns the divide threatens to exacerbate existing inequalities without intervention.