Apple CEO visits Hangzhou, China, DeepSeek’s hometown
Still from a video shared on Tim Cook’s Weibo account of his visit to Zhejiang University in Hangzhou.
(Source: Tim Cook via Weibo)
Apple CEO Tim Cook traveled to Hangzhou, China’s AI hub and home to DeepSeek, a rising star in artificial intelligence known for developing cost-effective models that rival their pricier American counterparts. On Wednesday, Cook visited Zhejiang University, a prestigious institution in the city, where he engaged with “the next generation of developers,” as he noted in a Weibo post. Apple also announced a 30 million yuan ($4.1 million) donation to the university, according to a statement from the Cupertino-based company. The school boasts a notable roster of tech alumni, including DeepSeek founder Liang Wenfeng and Colin Huang, the mind behind e-commerce titan PDD Holdings Inc.
Cook met with “the next generation of developers” at Zhejiang University, one of China’s top academic institutions, on Wednesday, he said in a post on his official Weibo account. The Cupertino, California-based company also announced a 30 million yuan ($4.1 million) donation to the university, signaling its commitment to fostering tech talent in a market critical to its global supply chain and consumer base. Zhejiang boasts an impressive alumni network, including DeepSeek founder Liang Wenfeng and Colin Huang, the billionaire behind e-commerce giant PDD Holdings Inc.
Hangzhou, also home to Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., has emerged as a hotbed for AI development, with firms like DeepSeek gaining global attention. DeepSeek stunned the industry earlier this year by releasing AI models that rival those of OpenAI Inc. and Alphabet Inc.’s Google, built at a fraction of the cost of their American counterparts. Its open-source R1 model, launched in January, surged to the top of iPhone download charts, prompting a reassessment of the resources needed to compete in the AI race.
Apple’s donation and Cook’s visit come as the company navigates a complex landscape in China, its largest manufacturing base and a key sales market. Facing regulatory hurdles and competition from local giants like Huawei Technologies Co., Apple is betting on partnerships and investments to maintain its foothold. The Zhejiang University contribution follows a pattern of educational outreach, with Apple previously supporting coding programs and research initiatives in the country.
MacDailyNews Take: The tightrope Cook walks in China grows increasingly tenuous.
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[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Fred Mertz” for the heads up.]
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