Is AI Getting Cheaper? Why Nvidia’s Stock Took a Hit

At the end of January 2025, Nvidia’s stock dropped significantly, losing around $600 billion in value. The reason? A Chinese company called DeepSeek announced that they had developed an AI chatbot similar to ChatGPT, but at a much lower cost. This made many investors nervous, thinking it could hurt Nvidia’s dominance in AI. However, experts and even Nvidia itself see this as a good sign for the AI industry overall.

DeepSeek claimed that they trained their AI model for just $5.6 million using simpler and cheaper graphics chips that comply with U.S. export restrictions. Unlike most advanced AI models that rely heavily on Nvidia’s expensive chips, DeepSeek managed to work around this. While this initially worried some people, Nvidia actually took it as proof that the demand for AI and its chips remains strong—especially in China, which could still be a big market for them.

Most analysts believe that Nvidia’s leading position in the AI industry isn’t going away anytime soon. Instead, they see this as a sign that AI is becoming more accessible, which means more companies will be able to build AI models at a lower cost and potentially make bigger profits in the long run.

What Does This Mean for Beginner Investors?

For new investors, this situation presents both opportunities and risks. Nvidia is still a powerful player in AI, and if you’re thinking long-term (like 10-20 years), it could be a solid investment. But in the short term, its stock price could be very volatile. If you’re looking for quick profits, be prepared for ups and downs.

Despite the drop in stock price, many experts remain optimistic about Nvidia’s future, especially as AI continues to grow. The key for investors is to stay informed, analyze trends carefully, and understand that investing in big tech stocks like Nvidia can be a rollercoaster—but one that could pay off in the long run.