After DeepSeek Drags LLMs into the 'Kill Zone,' Who Can Still Make Money?

The article discusses how DeepSeek's latest model has dramatically lowered the cost of large language models, pushing the industry into a 'kill zone' where many players face severe margin compression. This competitive pressure is challenging the business models of many AI startups and even established tech giants. The piece questions which companies, if any, can still achieve profitability under such conditions. It suggests that only those with unique advantages, such as proprietary data or superior efficiency, might survive. The analysis reflects broader concerns about the sustainability of the AI industry's current trajectory, where rapid innovation often leads to commoditization.