Between the AI giants and the nations they represent, the battle rages. The United States, Europe and China are waging a digital cold war where every line of code becomes a flag. In the center of the ring: DeepSeek, this Chinese AI which has reshuffled the cards of global technological power. Because behind the technical prowess lies a political project: making China no longer a follower, but a founding power of 21st century artificial intelligence.
In brief
- Chinese technology stocks are surging, boosted by innovation and investor enthusiasm.
- The global AI divide is widening between the wealthy North and the connected South.
- Beijing is strengthening its digital sovereignty by combining public power and coordinated private research.
When the stock market goes electric: China powered by AI
At the turn of 2026, the Chinese economy finds unexpected momentum. In January, Beijing's technological stocks soared, boosted by the rise of artificial intelligence and robotics. A clue equivalent to the Nasdaq gains almost 13%proof that confidence is reborn. This renewed energy is no coincidence: it follows the global success of DeepSeek, the open source AI model that challenged Silicon Valley.
Investors see this awakening as geopolitical revenge. Mark Mobius, manager of the Mobius Emerging Opportunities Fund, said:
The stock market indicates that what China is doing in the technology sector will be very exciting in the future. It must be remembered that China's goal now is to overtake the United States in technology, high-level chips and various forms of artificial intelligence. This is why investments are heading in this direction.
This stock market thrill reflects something other than a bubble: it reflects the ambition of a country ready to build its technological sovereignty.
DeepSeek, the Chinese machine that challenges the world
Created in 2023, DeepSeek has conquered the planet in record time. Its DeepSeek-R1 model, launched on January 27, 2025, displays performance on par with ChatGPT… at a cost twenty times lower. The application has become number 1 in 156 countries, accumulating 96.88 million monthly users and more than 22 million daily users. In China, India and Indonesia, the tool has become a daily reflex.
But DeepSeek is not just a technical success: it is a national symbol. At its head, Liang Wenfeng, an engineer from Guangdong, has become a quiet hero. Its High-Flyer fund recorded a +56% return in 2025. Its objective? Democratize accessible “made in China” AI, relying on open and inexpensive models.
The benefits are not limited to research offices. Chinese robots run marathons, box, dance at popular festivals, and the industry now makes flying taxis. Behind these exploits lies a promise: that of artificial intelligence integrated into the real economy, capable of transforming every factory, every school, every city.
Two-Speed AI: The Divide DeepSeek Does Not Bridge
The Microsoft AI Diffusion report 2026 reveals a disturbing reality: the AI revolution does not benefit everyone. One in six adults now uses an AI tool, but the gap between North and South is widening: 10.6 points difference in adoption rates. The United Arab Emirates and Singapore dominate (over 60% users), while Africa lags behind.
However, China is moving forward according to its own rules. Its planned approach, based on massive data collection and public-private coordination, gives it a strategic head start. DeepSeek takes advantage of this model to establish itself where Western platforms are absent: Russia, Iran, Africa. In these areas, its usage is 2 to 4 times higher than that of ChatGPT (Global Capacity).
This domination raises questions: is Chinese AI really extending knowledge or is it reshaping the balance of power? Because artificial intelligence, far from leveling the world, is also plowing new furrows between innovation and dependence.
Key figures from the DeepSeek empire and Chinese AI
- +13%: increase in Chinese tech stocks in January 2026;
- 96.88 million: DeepSeek monthly users worldwide;
- #1: app downloaded in 156 countries;
- 56%: annual return on Liang Wenfeng’s High-Flyer fund;
- 2 to 4 x: higher usage of DeepSeek compared to ChatGPT in Africa.
The other parameter, often forgotten, is the capacity of these artificial intelligences to influence human societies. Some studies show that AI can already manipulate voters and influence political opinions. The frantic race for innovation therefore not only has virtues: it also redefines the fragile border between progress and control.
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