Worms, January 29, 2025 - The AI model Deepseek shows: The Chinese startup is turning what was previously conventional wisdom on its head. Computing power is not all that matters when it comes to AI. Deepseek is not only openly available to everyone, but also delivers performance that is comparable to established AI models such as ChatGPT, with much less computing power required. The fact that companies in Europe have lower budgets than the AI giants from the USA, as has always been the excuse, cannot therefore be the reason why AI advances have been reserved for the United States. China proves the opposite and demonstrates: China is developing cutting-edge technology that we need to take very seriously.

Europe is getting back into the AI race

At the same time, this opens up new opportunities for companies, start-ups, researchers and scientists from Europe and Germany to join the race for AI supremacy. To do this, we must do one thing above all else: seize these new opportunities. We have so much potential for innovation in Germany in particular - together with more efficient AI models that require less development effort, we can drive these innovations forward faster and more easily than before.

The AI game is getting more interesting - and more dangerous

But the endeavor can only be successful if safety is a top priority. Deepseek is taking AI development to a new level of gaming. The game is becoming more and more interesting - but also more dangerous. Deepseek is a threat to digital security and reaches a level of violation of user privacy that we have rarely seen before: Apart from questionable data protection practices and state control in China, there is much more at stake: data storage on Chinese servers, collection of user data on a scale that surpasses even TikTok - texts, files, chat histories, IP addresses, user IDs, device IDs, the list is long. Even the rhythm of keystrokes is recorded.

Who uses the data for what, and for what purpose, remains unclear. We are only at the beginning of the AI era. All the more reason for us to prepare for the future, in which we will see many more AI models similar to DeepSeek on the market - with a focus on safety.

AI also protects against AI

And what technology could protect against AI better than AI? Almost all attacks, manipulation and disinformation will be AI-driven in the future. And these AI-supported threats can only be combated with AI-based security solutions.AI improves efficiency and accuracy in the detection of digital risks to a degree that would never be possible without AI - provided it is used responsibly. With AI-supported security technologies, such as those offered by KOBIL for checking transactions, documents, profiles, identities, chats, etc., we are achieving a new level of protection. This means we are equipped for the AI age and can effectively counter security threats. This applies not only to sensitive industries such as banking, e-commerce, insurance or the public sector.AI-supported security technologies are needed everywhere, in every industry, in every country, in everyday private and business life - and they are the only way to effectively counter security threats.

About KOBIL GmbH

Today, KOBIL solutions are the standard for digital identity and highly secure data technology. Founded in 1986, the ever-expanding KOBIL Group, headquartered in Worms, is a pioneer in the smart card, one-time password, authentication and cryptography sectors. The focus of the philosophy is to enable a consistent Identity and Mobile Security Management on all platforms and all communication channels. Nearly half of KOBIL's employees work in development, including leading cryptography specialists. KOBIL plays a key role in the development of new encryption standards. Commerzbank, DATEV, German Bundestag, Migros Bank, Societe Generale, UBS, ZDF and many others rely on KOBIL.