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- Cheap AI is Here—But What’s the Catch?
Cheap AI is Here—But What’s the Catch?
DeepSeek drops prices, but Apple and Amazon are doubling down.

Hello AI Innovators.
"AI is getting cheaper, but your data is the real price tag."
Tech is moving fast—maybe too fast. One minute, AI models are costing a fortune to run, and the next, DeepSeek is slashing prices by 75% like it’s a Black Friday sale. Meanwhile, Amazon wants you to pay for a smarter Alexa, and Apple is throwing billions at AI servers in the U.S.
But here’s the real question: If AI is getting more powerful, who’s actually winning—the companies, the consumers, or the algorithms that now know more about you than your best friend?
Let’s break it down. 🚀
In today’s newsletter ⬇️ :
💰 Nvidia’s AI Chip Sales Boom – DeepSeek who?
🇺🇸 Apple’s $500B AI Server Bet – Made in the USA.
🗣️ Baidu’s AI Chatbot Goes Live – Powered by DeepSeek.
💸 DeepSeek Slashes Prices by 75% During Off-Peak Hours.
🍏 Apple Bets Big on Alibaba for AI in China.
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The News: East Meets West
News from The WEST 👈:
💰 Nvidia’s AI Chip Sales Surge Despite DeepSeek Disruption
Nvidia just posted a staggering $39.3 billion in revenue for Q4—a 78% YoY increase, thanks to sky-high demand for its Blackwell AI chips. While concerns over DeepSeek’s rising influence had some worried, Nvidia’s CEO Jensen Huang doubled down, stating DeepSeek’s success is actually fueling global demand for Nvidia’s AI hardware. However, the company remains cautious about potential U.S. trade restrictions, which could impact future growth.
💡 Why It Matters:
Despite DeepSeek’s rapid expansion in China, Nvidia still dominates the AI chip industry. But with new U.S. tariffs looming, will its reign continue?🏗️ Apple to Build AI Servers in the U.S. – $500B Investment Incoming
Apple just announced a massive $500 billion investment in the U.S. over the next four years, which includes building a Texas-based AI server factory to power its AI ambitions. This move follows discussions with the U.S. government regarding tariffs on Chinese-made products and signals Apple’s commitment to securing its AI supply chain domestically. The investment will also bring 20,000 new R&D jobs, strengthening Apple’s AI infrastructure.
💡 Why It Matters:
With growing scrutiny over AI infrastructure and chip supply chains, Apple is playing the long game—betting big on U.S.-based AI production to future-proof its business.🗣️ Amazon’s Alexa+ Wants to Be Your AI Assistant—But Is It Worth It?
Amazon just leveled up Alexa with Alexa+, a new AI-powered assistant that understands context, remembers past interactions, and even handles full conversations naturally. The catch? It’ll cost $19.99/month, though Prime members get it for free. Alexa+ will work across Echo devices and integrate with Uber, Spotify, Netflix, and more to provide a seamless voice-driven experience.
💡 Why It Matters:
With OpenAI and Google racing to build the next-gen AI-powered personal assistants, Amazon needs to prove Alexa can still compete. Will this upgrade finally make Alexa indispensable, or is it too little, too late?
What’s the biggest reason you’d use Alexa+? |
News from The EAST 👉:
🎬 Baidu’s Streaming Platform Adds DeepSeek-Powered AI Chatbot
Baidu’s iQIYI streaming platform has officially launched a DeepSeek-powered AI chatbot, allowing users to ask for recommendations, summarize episodes, and even interact with characters in real-time. The chatbot integrates directly into iQIYI’s app, aiming to enhance user engagement and keep audiences on the platform longer. This move follows Baidu’s broader push to embed DeepSeek AI across its ecosystem, from search engines to entertainment.
💡 Why It Matters:
Baidu is turning DeepSeek into a competitive advantage against Tencent Video and Bilibili. With AI-driven content discovery and interaction, streaming could become way more personalized.🏠 DeepSeek AI Is Now in Your TV, Vacuum, and Smart Home Devices
DeepSeek isn’t just for chatbots anymore—it’s now powering smart TVs, home appliances, and even robotic vacuum cleaners in China. Major consumer electronics brands have quietly integrated DeepSeek’s AI models to enable voice-controlled home automation, personalized recommendations, and intelligent scheduling. With this, China’s AI race is moving beyond tech giants into everyday household devices.
💡 Why It Matters:
AI is officially blurring the lines between digital and physical life in China. DeepSeek’s widespread adoption pushes AI into homes at an unprecedented pace, making smart devices truly autonomous.💸 DeepSeek Slashes Prices by 75% During Off-Peak Hours
DeepSeek just announced a massive 75% discount for AI usage during off-peak hours, undercutting competitors like OpenAI and Anthropic. By optimizing GPU workloads and incentivizing non-peak usage, DeepSeek is dramatically lowering AI costs while keeping compute efficiency high. This aggressive pricing strategy is expected to pressure rivals into adjusting their rates to stay competitive.
💡 Why It Matters:
DeepSeek is playing the long game, making AI more accessible while squeezing out competition. Could this trigger an AI price war that forces OpenAI and others to rethink their pricing models?

🍏 Apple Bets Big on Alibaba for AI in China

Apple just made a power move—partnering with Alibaba to bring AI to Chinese iPhones. The moment this deal dropped, Apple’s stock jumped 2.18%, and Alibaba’s followed with a 1.31% rise. But this isn’t just about AI features—it’s about survival.
🔑 Key Intel:
Apple picked Alibaba over Baidu, Tencent & ByteDance to comply with China’s strict AI laws.
Alibaba’s Qwen AI outperformed competitors, making it Apple’s best shot at regaining lost ground in China.
This move signals China’s tightening grip on AI and foreign tech operations.
💡 Why It Matters:
Apple needs a local AI partner to compete with Huawei, which has been eating into its market share. But is Alibaba the right choice? And could this partnership reshape the AI power balance between the US and China?
Would You Trust Alibaba’s AI on an iPhone? |

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Until next time!
Leo & Lex
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