JAKARTA — DeepSeek wants to double its headcount in every department. Why? The China-based artificial intelligence startup says humanity is now on the brink of artificial general intelligence — and it does not want to be left behind.
Yicai Global reported that the Hangzhou-based DeepSeek announced this large-scale hiring expansion after its valuation was reported to have surpassed 400 billion yuan, or around Rp940 trillion. A staggering figure.
The company has opened 33 positions across seven fields. They range from full-stack development and algorithms, core AI systems, operations and maintenance, products, model data strategy, deep learning research, to corporate functions. The jobs are based in Beijing and Hangzhou.
What Is AGI and Why Is DeepSeek Serious About Pursuing It?
AGI — artificial general intelligence — is not just ordinary AI that is good at answering questions. It is artificial intelligence that is claimed to be capable of matching, and even surpassing, human thinking abilities across the board. Not just one specific task, but all tasks.
Imagine an AI system that can learn a new language, design scientific experiments, write code, then analyze public policy — all without being reprogrammed. That is the big AGI dream. And DeepSeek has made it clear: this is its main goal.
What sets DeepSeek apart from other AI players is how it builds models with high efficiency at lower cost. Its R1 model shook Silicon Valley in early 2025 because it claimed to match GPT-4 performance at a much lower training cost. That is not a small claim — it is a direct blow to the industry assumption that cutting-edge AI requires billions of dollars.
This efficiency-driven mindset appears to be behind their internal belief: if AGI can be reached through a leaner approach, DeepSeek has a real chance of getting there first.
Why This Hiring Expansion Matters
Large-scale recruitment is nothing new in the tech industry. But DeepSeek’s context is different. This startup is not a mature company with thousands of employees — it is still relatively small for a company with a valuation nearing Rp1,000 trillion. Doubling headcount in every department means a significant structural leap, not just a patch to staffing levels.
The seven job categories also reflect a fairly ambitious strategy map. Deep learning research clearly points to core model development. Model data strategy suggests the company is serious about building a stronger data foundation. Meanwhile, additions on the operations and corporate sides signal that DeepSeek is preparing for a much larger scale — not just technically, but organizationally as well.
For the global AI research and developer community, this is a signal that the race toward AGI is moving faster. OpenAI, Google DeepMind, and Anthropic have each said AGI is a long-term target. Now DeepSeek has openly joined that race — more transparently than before.
What It Means for the AI Job Market
Demand for global AI talent has surged sharply in recent years. A 2024 World Economic Forum report said AI- and machine learning-related roles are among the fastest-growing jobs through 2030. But what is happening now is different from previous waves.
In the past, companies hired AI engineers to build product features — customer service chatbots, recommendation systems, analytics tools. Now players like DeepSeek are hiring for something more fundamental: building systems that can think generally. That is a major shift in research and development priorities.
For Indonesian talent interested in AI, this is also relevant. Although DeepSeek’s open roles are based in Beijing and Hangzhou, the wave of massive hiring from Chinese AI companies is creating pressure on the regional talent ecosystem. Technology companies in Southeast Asia — including Indonesia — will face even stronger competition for top AI talent, which now has more options, including from increasingly aggressive Chinese players.
DeepSeek in the Global AI Race
A valuation of 400 billion yuan places DeepSeek in a serious league. For comparison, that figure is equivalent to more than half the market capitalization of some of Indonesia’s largest banks. For an AI startup that only became widely known globally in early 2025, the valuation growth is exceptionally rapid.
DeepSeek founder Liang Wenfeng is known as a figure who does not seek much media attention. But the company’s statement on AGI and its massive hiring drive is the clearest public communication it has ever issued about its long-term direction. That is no coincidence.
The move may also be responding to geopolitical pressure. U.S. restrictions on AI chip exports to China have pushed companies like DeepSeek to rely more heavily on software innovation and algorithmic efficiency — not raw computing power. That strategy proved effective with the R1 model, and now the company wants to push that boundary further with a larger team.
Is AGI really just around the corner, as DeepSeek suggests? Computer scientists are still debating the definition, let alone the timeline. But one thing is clear: more and more world-class companies are betting billions of dollars and hundreds of top talents on one answer. And that competition is only getting busier.
Summary: 3 Key Points
- DeepSeek is targeting AGI — the China-based AI startup has openly named artificial general intelligence as its main goal, not just conventional AI products.
- Massive hiring expansion — 33 positions across seven fields are open to double headcount, reflecting a structural leap as valuation reaches Rp940 trillion.
- Global competition is heating up — DeepSeek’s move adds pressure to global AI players and accelerates an already intense talent race across Asia.
Quick FAQ
What is AGI, and how is it different from today’s AI? Today’s AI is designed for specific tasks — translating, answering questions, recognizing images. AGI is a system that can perform all kinds of cognitive tasks like a human, without needing to be reprogrammed for each new task.
Does AGI already exist? Not yet. So far, no system has been officially recognized as AGI. But several companies, including DeepSeek, say they are actively pursuing it.
What does this mean for Indonesia? Competition for AI talent is getting tougher at the regional level. Indonesian tech companies will face greater pressure to retain and attract top local AI talent, who now have many more options from global players.
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