'Humanity now stands on the eve of AGI': DeepSeek wants to "at least double the size of every department" as company pursues hiring spree in pursuit of AGI (www.techradar.com)

DeepSeek, a Chinese AI startup, has announced an ambitious plan to double its workforce as it aims to develop artificial general intelligence (AGI). The company, which recently secured $7.4 billion in funding with a valuation exceeding $50 billion, has adopted a hiring strategy that allows new employees to take on significant responsibilities early on. This move comes at a pivotal time as DeepSeek aims to enhance its product offerings and explore commercial opportunities, moving beyond its foundational research focus. The recruitment drive is particularly noteworthy given global market dynamics; despite ongoing U.S. restrictions limiting access to advanced GPUs, DeepSeek has found a niche as American companies are increasingly turning to its cost-effective models over those from established competitors like OpenAI and Google. This shift in market demand not only highlights DeepSeek's potential for growth but also underscores its existing partnerships, particularly with Huawei, to optimize model performance on alternative hardware. As the company expands its operations, particularly in its Chinese headquarters and R&D facilities, it could set the stage for significant advancements in the AI landscape, raising the stakes in the race toward AGI.