By Aditya Soni and Deborah Mary Sophia (Reuters) -Days after Chinese upstart DeepSeek revealed a breakthrough in cheap AI computing that shook the U.S. technology industry, the chief executives of Microsoft and Meta defended massive spending that they said was key to staying competitive in the new field.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella believes that DeepSeek will inevitably help the American AI industry rather than hurt it. Microsoft chief executive Satya Nadella isn’t pressed about Chinese AI startup DeepSeek’s recent success.

Chinese AI startup DeepSeek's model led to increased scrutiny on Microsoft's AI spending.

The tech giants vow to barrel ahead despite the jolt from China’s DeepSeek.

In an apparent response to the attention on a new AI model out of China, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella posted online

Key Takeaways Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said Wednesday’s that the rapid rise of competitors from China has only strengthened the tech giant’s commitment to its AI ambitions. The CEO said it’s too early to know how growing competition from China could impact its future investments.

Chinese startup DeepSeek claims to offer competitive AI models at lower costs, raising doubts about U.S. tech giants' investments in AI. Microsoft and Meta defend their significant spending, highlighting its importance for long-term strategic advantage amidst increasing demand for AI solutions.