China's DeepSeek has released a 685-billion parameter open-source AI model, DeepSeek V3.1, challenging OpenAI and Anthropic with breakthrough performance, hybrid reasoning, and zero-cost access on Hugging Face.

Ultimately, model makers and enterprises are focusing on the wrong issue: They should be computing smarter, not harder.

To reflect democratic principles, AI must be built in the open. If the U.S. wants to lead the AI race, it must lead the open-source AI race.