The news: European banks HSBC and NatWest are already experimenting with DeepSeek’s capabilities, according to The Information. The Chinese AI startup can slash AI costs for its clients.

The details: HSBC has been closely monitoring DeepSeek's advancements, particularly after the AI assistant’s rapid ascent to the top of Apple’s downloads chart, per its website. Currently, HSBC is conducting early-stage proof-of-concept tests within its AI center, ensuring a controlled environment for these evaluations. 

NatWest is also testing DeepSeek’s technology, focusing on improving customer engagement and operational efficiency. Although the specifics of their experiments are not fully disclosed, they are exploring how AI-based integration can enhance services and reduce costs.