Alex Capri In Print - Articles
DeepSeek - how a Chinese AI company just changed the rules of tech-geopolitics
In a move that could reshape the global AI race, Chinese startup DeepSeek has unveiled a powerful large language model (LLM) said to rival ChatGPT — and it may have done so without relying on high-end Nvidia chips. Instead, DeepSeek leveraged open-source AI and a cost-effective fine-tuning process to build its model, signalling a potential shift in the balance of technological power.
Beyond the technology, the implications are profound. DeepSeek’s success challenges long-held assumptions about the AI-semiconductor nexus and could weaken the strategic grip of US-led tech controls. As the world divides into three geopolitical tech blocs, DeepSeek’s emergence offers new pathways for middle-tier nations and threatens to upend existing power dynamics in the ongoing US–China chip war.
Read the full analysis to explore what DeepSeek means for AI, national security, and the future of global tech leadership.
The time is right for an Australian semiconductor moonshot
Australia is well-positioned to launch its own national semiconductor fabrication initiative, focusing on legacy chip technologies with lower barriers to entry. Leveraging its research institutions, skilled workforce, and strategic ties to the US and its allies, Australia could integrate into global semiconductor supply chains. Recent global shifts — including stricter US export controls on China, over US$200 billion in semiconductor investment through CHIPS Acts, and proposed AUKUS-related trade regulation reforms, all create new opportunities. By aligning national security, diplomacy, and economic policy, Australia can play a meaningful role in the global chip race and strengthen its technological sovereignty.
A Semiconductor Renaissance Is Under Way. It Will Change the World.
The article examines the pivotal role of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) in the global semiconductor industry and its geopolitical implications. As the world's leading chipmaker, TSMC's dominance underscores Taiwan's strategic importance, especially amid U.S.-China tensions. The piece highlights the challenges of over-reliance on a single region for critical technology and discusses efforts by the U.S. and allies to diversify semiconductor manufacturing. It emphasizes the need for a balanced approach to globalization, where supply chain resilience and geopolitical stability are prioritized alongside economic efficiency.