DeepSeek AI App Dominates Global Downloads, with India Leading the Charge

DeepSeek's AI assistant has become the most downloaded mobile app globally, with India contributing the largest share of new users. The app's rapid adoption outpaces competitors, while India plans to host it locally as part of its AI and data localization efforts.

DeepSeek's Meteoric Rise in Global App Downloads

DeepSeek, a Chinese artificial intelligence chatbot, has skyrocketed to become the most downloaded mobile app across 140 markets globally. The app's rapid ascent has been particularly notable in India, which has emerged as the largest contributor to its user base 1.

According to data from Appfigures, DeepSeek claimed the top spot on Apple's App Store on January 26 and has maintained its global leadership since then. The app's success extends to Android devices as well, securing the number one position on Google Play Store in the United States as of January 28 2.

India's Significant Contribution and Future Plans

India has played a crucial role in DeepSeek's success, accounting for 15.6% of all downloads across platforms since the app's launch in January. This substantial user base from India has contributed significantly to DeepSeek's impressive growth trajectory 12.

The Indian government has taken notice of DeepSeek's popularity and is planning to host the app locally as part of its data localization efforts. This move aligns with India's broader strategy to develop its own low-cost AI model, similar to DeepSeek 2.

Rapid Adoption and Comparison with Competitors

DeepSeek's growth has been nothing short of phenomenal. Within just 18 days of its launch, the app garnered 16 million downloads, nearly doubling the initial adoption rate of OpenAI's ChatGPT, which saw 9 million downloads in the same period 2.

DeepSeek's Availability and Indian AI Initiatives

While DeepSeek is officially available in China, the US, and Vietnam, it has gained widespread adoption across 140 markets despite minimal advertising. This global reach underscores the app's appeal and functionality 2.

In a related development, Krutrim, an Indian AI unicorn founded by Bhavish Aggarwal, has begun hosting DeepSeek's open-source models on Indian servers. Krutrim currently hosts five DeepSeek models, including its flagship DeepSeek R1 and four distilled versions, with competitive pricing ranging from INR 10 to INR 60 per million tokens 2.

India's Data Localization and AI Ambitions

India's interest in DeepSeek extends beyond its popularity. Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw recently announced that India would host DeepSeek on local servers to address privacy concerns regarding cross-border data transfer. This move is part of India's broader data localization efforts and its ambition to become a significant player in the global AI landscape 2.

As DeepSeek continues to dominate app stores worldwide, its success story, particularly in India, highlights the growing global interest in AI-powered applications and the potential for emerging markets to shape the future of AI adoption and development.