The onset of the Year of the Snake has brought with it a surge of interest in artificial intelligence, particularly in the form of the domestic AI model DeepSeekThis innovative technology has quickly become a hot topic, providing various conveniences during the Spring Festival, such as planning holiday trips, customizing festive meals, and optimizing return routesHowever, alongside this technological advancement, there has been a troubling rise in paid online courses that claim to offer comprehensive tutorials on using AI tools, even going so far as to warn that "if you don’t learn, you’ll be left behind." So, is it really necessary to pay for learning how to utilize AI search engines?

This Spring Festival saw DeepSeek rocketing to popularity, especially evident in app download charts within software marketplaces of major smartphone brands like Huawei and Apple, where it dominated as the leading free app for several consecutive daysYet, in the shadow of this technological boom, certain entities are seizing on the opportunity to create a “cognitive gap,” capitalizing on the fear of falling behind.

A quick search on popular social media platforms reveals a plethora of tutorials surrounding the use of DeepSeek, with prices ranging from a few dozen to several hundred yuanOn platforms like Xiaohongshu, searching for “how to use DeepSeek” yields thousands of guidesTitles such as “One Hour Beginner's Tutorial” and “Transform into an AI Expert in Three Months” pop up, catching the eye of many potential learners.

Diving deeper, I interacted with one content creator who promptly added me to a group consisting of around 500 individualsUpon expressing my intent to learn, the group leader offered to teach me one-on-one for a fee of 800 yuan, along with a "monetization strategy" that promised to help me recoup the fee through AI-related side jobsAs if this wasn’t alarming enough, a group member who had purchased the course lamented that nearly all the content was simply rehashed information readily available online, along with “secret tips” that could be easily found through public searches

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They felt deceived.

Further analysis reveals that these platforms not only provide guidance on using AI tools but also teach users how to converse with AI or deploy it locally, alongside certain programs marketed as “AI Boot Camps” promising to help participants earn their “first bucket of gold” through AISome even propagate slogans like “In 2025, it will be those who understand AI that will thrive, leaving those who don’t behind,” creating a climate of anxiety regarding AI integration.

Given these circumstances, one might wonder: Do we really need to pay to learn how to use AI? Experts suggest that the chaotic landscape of AI education and training stems from rapidly evolving technologies and a general anxiety of “missing out” among the publicProperly understanding AI and integrating it into everyday work and life is becoming a crucial discussion point.

Professor Liu Xin from the School of Information Science and Engineering at Lanzhou University asserts that most of the major AI models, including DeepSeek, feature simple and intuitive user interfacesWith continuous technological advancements, it's likely that future iterations will enable immediate communication with AI through voice commands as wellLiu points out that there are already plenty of free online resources that sufficiently explain the usage of AI tools, making it unnecessary to spend money on trainings that may offer little more than what can already be found online.

"Investing in a free, open tool by paying for training seems entirely counterproductive,” he argues, emphasizing that AI evolves rapidly, and many supposed in-depth courses on social media can’t keep pace with the swift updates in the fieldBy the end of 2024, for example, the National Internet Information Office of China projects that 302 generative AI services will have been registered, with a staggering 238 new ones expected just in that year.

While the need for professional training also exists for those utilizing AI in specialized fields such as healthcare and scientific research—where fundamental logic and algorithms come into play—experts advise that individuals should seek reputable training institutions

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The focus should ideally be on how to merge one’s professional knowledge with AI applications to enhance work efficiency.

For instance, Chen Penghong, the southern regional delivery director of Beijing Chuangzhi Heyu Technology Co., highlights that his company aims to leverage AI to assist clinical doctors with path recommendations and improve detailed operational management within departments, marking a significant step toward enhancing workplace efficiency.

As we grapple with new technologies, experts advocate for a rational and open-minded approach without succumbing to anxietyIt's essential for the public to develop a balanced perspective on AI, embracing it as an innovative tool that enhances everyday productivity rather than fearing it as a potential threat.

Industry insiders assert that AI is redefining the nature of tools, striving to simplify sophisticated processes and allowing users to concentrate more on creative aspects of their workAs AI products and services advance rapidly, user bases are expanding phenomenally, as evidenced by the rise in daily new users for platforms like Doubao App going from 200,000 to 900,000 in just a couple of monthsSimilarly, DeepSeek achieved 20 million daily active users merely twenty days post-launchRecent data from the China Internet Network Information Center points out that the user base of generative AI products in China has surged to 249 million, representing 17.7% of the total population.

Todays’ AI applications are increasingly regarded as valuable partners in enhancing public life, recreation, and work efficiencyAs we celebrate the Lunar New Year, we witness a new trend where AI mingles with traditional art forms like printmaking, poetry, and video creation, often accompanied by hashtags reflecting on AI influence in cultural celebrations, such as “The AI Touch This Lunar New Year.”

Experts believe that relevant authorities should swiftly establish regulatory frameworks and a comprehensive system for overseeing AI usage

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