The release of DeepSeek’s new MIT-licensed AI model marks a significant moment, offering organisations a cost-effective, secure, and flexible alternative to commercial models.
For CxOs, this presents a strategic opportunity to harness AI while maintaining financial control and data security.
DeepSeek’s model is open source, meaning its code is publicly available for modification and enhancement. Unlike proprietary AI, it comes with an MIT open source license, a permissive legal framework that allows businesses and public sector bodies to integrate AI without restrictive terms or high financial costs. The implications are clear: greater accessibility, lower barriers to adoption, and an open environment for innovation.
One of the standout benefits of DeepSeek is cost. With costs estimated to be up to 30 times lower than OpenAI’s commercial alternatives, organisations can allocate budgets more effectively. This is particularly relevant for public sector bodies operating under tight financial constraints. By adopting DeepSeek’s model, they can deploy AI-powered solutions without diverting funds from essential services. They can also innovate and experiment more effectively.
Security remains a key concern. This is especially critical for organisations handling sensitive information, where minimising external vulnerabilities is paramount. However, local deployment also demands rigorous security measures to prevent unauthorised access and maintain system integrity. Plus it’s expensive to run and more prone to risk of outage.
AI adoption must be responsible. Not all tasks should be automated, particularly those involving personally identifiable information (PII) or customer-facing roles that require human judgement. AI should augment human capability, not replace it. Used effectively, it enhances workflows by handling repetitive tasks, allowing employees to focus on higher-value work. Simply put, humans should drive decisions while AI provides the direction for human colleagues to make their decisions.
The public sector stands to gain significantly. AI can streamline operations, improve decision-making, and enhance service delivery. Predictive analytics can optimise resource allocation in healthcare and education, while natural language processing can simplify citizen interactions.
Like Meta’s Llama 3.2 and 3.3, DeepSeek’s model is more than just a technological breakthrough. It represents a shift towards more affordable, secure, and adaptable AI. By embracing open-source models and responsible deployment, both public and private sectors can drive meaningful progress while maintaining control over costs and security.
It means that with the right implementation, AI can make government services more efficient and accessible. That said, there are precautions which CxOs should take when working with DeepSeek as we explored in a previous post. This is where Scrumconnect comes in. We have a proven track record in helping the UK public sector deploy cutting-edge solutions. Our low-code platform accelerates AI integration, allowing organisations to experiment and iterate quickly. Combining DeepSeek’s open-source AI with our technology creates a powerful framework for innovation.
CxOs who understand and strategically deploy open-source AI will be better positioned to navigate the evolving digital landscape, ensuring competitive advantage and sustainable growth. Now is the time to act.
DeepSeek’s open-source AI model offers CxOs a low-cost, secure alternative to proprietary AI, enabling innovation, financial control, and responsible deployment while supporting public and private sector digital transformation.
Scrumconnect drives UK apprenticeships, hiring quarterly and advancing AI talent. Partnering with DfE, it's shaping digital solutions to develop future skills.
In the United Kingdom, the integration of AI into government operations holds significant promise for enhancing public services, policy formulation, and administrative efficiency. But, as is the case with any AI innovation, its success rests on one critical factor: data quality.
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