Tim Cook says China's DeepSeek AI is 'excellent' in recent visit to China

Apple CEO Tim Cook has publicly praised Chinese AI start-up DeepSeek, signaling growing recognition of China’s emerging players in the global artificial intelligence race. In remarks reported by the South China Morning Post, Cook called DeepSeek’s AI models “excellent” during a recent visit to Beijing—his first trip to China this year.

The endorsement came during the China Development Forum, a state-backed event aimed at attracting international investment and fostering innovation partnerships. While Cook did not go into technical detail, his comments reflect a notable shift in how U.S. tech leaders view Chinese AI capabilities—particularly at a time when Apple is working to expand its Apple Intelligence platform in mainland China.

DeepSeek, based in Hangzhou, has drawn attention for creating high-performing AI models with significantly less computational cost than leading U.S. models, positioning itself as one of China’s fastest-growing AI companies. DeepSeek's models deliver results comparable to American rivals while requiring fewer resources—an efficiency that has made the start-up a standout in China’s tech ecosystem.

Cook’s remarks come just days before Apple’s upcoming developer conference in Shanghai, where the company is expected to outline plans for bringing Apple Intelligence to Chinese users. Apple is awaiting final regulatory approval before fully launching the platform in China, and it has already secured partnerships with firms like Alibaba and Baidu to host localized AI models. DeepSeek, though not officially part of Apple’s current AI lineup, is now widely viewed as a potential collaborator.

Apple’s relationship with China remains critical as it navigates increased competition from domestic smartphone makers and shifting geopolitical tensions. Cook’s repeated visits underscore Apple’s commitment to the Chinese market—not only as a manufacturing hub but as a center of innovation.

As DeepSeek gains momentum, its recognition by one of the most influential figures in tech signals a broader shift: China’s AI breakthroughs are no longer just local achievements—they’re starting to command global attention.