Introduction
Artificial intelligence is evolving at an unprecedented pace, and one that’s currently surfacing to the top is DeepSeek. With its latest release, DeepSeek R1, the company has introduced a reasoning-based Large Language Model (LLM) that has sparked discussions across the industry.
But what exactly makes DeepSeek R1 different from other models, and how does it compare with OpenAI’s o1? Let’s break it down in a Q&A format for easy understanding.
Why is everyone suddenly talking about DeepSeek R1, and what makes it so groundbreaking?
DeepSeek R1 is a reasoning model—a type of AI designed to think step by step, just like a human being. Unlike traditional language models that focus on generating fluent text, reasoning models analyze, reflect, and verify their own responses before producing an answer.
It utilizes the Chain-of-Thought (CoT) technique, allowing it to advance logically from one idea to another. This is a big step in AI’s evolution, bringing models closer to Artificial General Intelligence (AGI).
How does DeepSeek R1 work?
DeepSeek R1 generates responses using the Chain-of-Thought (CoT) reasoning technique. Essentially, it:
- Breaks down complex problems into smaller steps.
- Evaluates each step logically before proceeding.
- Ensures its final response is well-reasoned and accurate.
This approach helps the model produce more precise, transparent, and human-like responses compared to conventional AI models.
Why is DeepSeek R1 considered a major technological achievement?
DeepSeek R1 represents a shift from pure text generation to advanced reasoning. It marks a transition from an “infant stage” of AI to what experts call a “toddler stage” in the path toward AGI.
Unlike earlier models, DeepSeek R1 can:
- Reflect on its own reasoning process.
- Verify its own answers.
- Generate long chains of thought for complex problems.
This is a remarkable leap forward in AI’s journey toward true intelligence.
Why is everyone comparing OpenAI o1 and DeepSeek R1?
The AI community is buzzing with discussions about the rivalry between OpenAI’s o1-preview and DeepSeek R1. But why?
1. Market Perspective
DeepSeek was an unexpected entrant into the AI race. The first reasoning model that made headlines was OpenAI’s o1-mini, released in late 2024. This triggered a wave of rapid developments:
- Google introduced Gemini Flash Thinking.
- Alibaba launched Qwen.
- OpenAI followed up with o1-preview.
- DeepSeek R1 emerged as a strong contender in January 2025.
What’s surprising? Despite being a newcomer, DeepSeek R1 performed exceptionally well, challenging OpenAI’s dominance in reasoning AI.
2. Technology Perspective
A major distinction between these models is their architecture and training process:
- OpenAI o1-preview: 200 billion parameters.
- DeepSeek R1: Built on DeepSeek V3 (671 billion parameters).
But size isn’t everything! DeepSeek R1 is the first reasoning model trained using large-scale Reinforcement Learning (RL) without Supervised Fine-Tuning (SFT)—a groundbreaking achievement.
Through multiple RL and SFT stages, DeepSeek R1 was fine-tuned to reason better, making it capable of:
- Verifying its own responses.
- Reflecting on past answers.
- Developing deeper logical thought chains.
This approach allows it to think more like a human than ever before.
How does DeepSeek R1 perform against benchmarks?
Every AI model is tested against industry benchmarks to assess its reasoning and problem-solving capabilities. Here’s how DeepSeek R1 stacks up:
1. Major Benchmarks
- MMLU (Massive Multitask Language Understanding): Tests general knowledge and reasoning skills.
- GPQA (Graduate-Level Google-Proofed Q&A): Evaluates complex scientific reasoning in subjects like biology, physics, and chemistry.
- MATH500: Tests AI’s ability to solve mathematical problems, from algebra to probability.
2. Performance Results
DeepSeek R1 closely matches OpenAI’s o1-preview on most benchmarks:
- AIME 2024 Score: 79.8% Pass@1 (slightly better than OpenAI o1-preview).
- MATH500 Score: 97.3% (similar to OpenAI o1-preview).
In simple terms, DeepSeek R1 is a serious competitor and one of the most advanced reasoning models to date.
What’s next for AI reasoning models?
The rapid advancements in reasoning AI models indicate we are moving closer to the next stage of AI development. In the coming years, we can expect:
- More self-improving AI models with enhanced reflection and verification abilities.
- Faster AI evolution as companies race toward AGI.
- Increased competition between OpenAI, DeepSeek, Google, and other players in the AI space.
DeepSeek R1 has proven that newcomers can challenge the biggest names in AI. With its innovative training methods and reasoning abilities, it stands as a serious alternative to OpenAI’s o1-preview.
Final Thoughts
The rise of DeepSeek R1 shows just how fast AI is evolving. At Nandha Infotech, we have started reasoning the capabilities of such LLMs and their limits. As a technology company involved in training and business process development, our plans include:
• Bringing domain experts to our fireside chats
• Creating awareness among graduates and students through our Skillradar program
• Conducting know-how seminars to analyze the positive and negative impacts of this technology.
The final takeaway is simple. We share the same thoughts as any other AI experts in the room–AI as a technology is evolving and it hasn’t even gone past the runway. If you feel missed out, we want to assure you that there is enough time for AI to take off.
Come — join us — let’s take the AI flight together.
Written by: Naveen Michael, Content writer at Nandha Infotech
For more technical information, refer to this research paper.