DeepSeek, a Chinese AI startup, has faced scrutiny over its claims regarding the cost of its AI model. Initially reported to have spent $5.6 million on its R1 model, recent analyses suggest that the actual expenditure exceeded $1.6 billion. Reports indicate that DeepSeek acquired 50,000 NVIDIA GPUs to support its operations, and its top researchers reportedly earned substantial salaries. The findings challenge the startup's previous assertions and raise questions about the financial transparency of its operations.