DeepSeek wouldn't be able to train R1 without their ~600B parameters base model, so you should consider the cost of that model when you compare with Grok. In a

DeepSeek wouldn't be able to train R1 without their ~600B parameters base model, so you should consider the cost of that model when you compare with Grok. In any case, Elon won't win this race cause the best talent will not work for him. He used to have good reputation and a lot of money, which is a deadly combination. Now he only has the latter -- not enough when leading AI people can make 7 figures in other companies. To be clear 1: I'm not saying that people who currently work on Grok are not great. It's not about hiring some great people. It's about competing in the long run - people with other options (e.g. offers from leading AI labs) are more likely to accept those offers than joining his research lab. To be clear 2: I'm not talking about Elon's reputation due to his politics. I'm only talking about his reputation as an employer. He has the vision and marketing skills but it's not going to be enough for leading the AI race.