Affordable AI and Robotics: DeepSeek and Unitree G1 Transform the Labor Landscape

A Visionary Post Sparks Global Interest

On March 22, 2025, Marc Benioff, the influential CEO of Salesforce, ignited a conversation on X with a post that highlighted a transformative development in robotics and artificial intelligence (AI). His message was clear: “DeepSeek is AI that costs pennies. Unitree is Robots that cost less than a MacBook.

DeepSeek + Unitree G1 = the future of cheap, scalable digital labor. It’s not science fiction anymore.”

Accompanied by a video of the Unitree G1 humanoid robot in action, the post captured widespread attention, amassing numerous replies and reactions. However, a community note on X clarified that the Unitree G1’s starting price of $16,000, as listed on the company’s website, significantly exceeds the cost of a typical MacBook, which ranges from $1,000 to $3,500. While this correction adjusted expectations around the cost comparison, it did little to dampen the enthusiasm for the broader implications of this technological synergy.

DeepSeek: Redefining AI Accessibility

DeepSeek, a China-based AI firm, has emerged as a disruptive force in the global AI landscape. In January 2025, the company released its R1 large language model (LLM), an open-source solution that delivers advanced capabilities at a fraction of the cost of proprietary models like those from OpenAI. According to TechTarget, DeepSeek’s innovation is particularly notable given U.S. restrictions on exporting high-performance AI chips to China. Despite these limitations, DeepSeek has demonstrated that leading-edge AI development is possible without access to the most advanced U.S. technology. Its business model—offering free, open-source AI—challenges the revenue structures of Western companies that rely on subscription fees, raising geopolitical concerns about China’s growing influence in AI.

However, DeepSeek has faced scrutiny, with a user on X pointing out a past data security lapse involving over a million exposed records, including user data and API keys, which the company has since addressed.

Unitree G1: A Leap in Humanoid Robotics

The Unitree G1, developed by the Chinese robotics firm Unitree, represents a significant advancement in humanoid robotics. Priced at $16,000, the G1 is designed for mass production and features 23 degrees of freedom, a top speed of 4.4 mph, and force-position hybrid control for precise operations. Unitree’s website highlights its UnifoLM (Unitree Robot Unified Large Model), which integrates AI to enhance the robot’s capabilities, such as dexterous hand movements that mimic human actions.

Since its commercial rollout in 2024, the G1 has been lauded for its potential in applications like farming, as noted by a user in the X thread. China’s dominance in robotics is further underscored by a 2024 ITIF report, which states that the country accounts for 35% of global robotics patents between 2005 and 2019, compared to the U.S.’s 13%.

A robot engages in a synchronized sweeping kick alongside a person on an urban street, demonstrating impressive coordination and agility in real-time.

The Future of Digital Labor: DeepSeek and Unitree G1

The convergence of DeepSeek’s affordable AI and Unitree’s G1 signals a paradigm shift in digital labor. As Benioff’s post suggests, this combination could democratize access to advanced automation, enabling businesses to scale operations at unprecedented cost efficiency. However, the transition raises questions about the human labor force, as one X user asked, “What does the human labor force do in turn?”

Additionally, the optimism driving innovation in China—where 69% of people believe the next generation will be better off, per the 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer—contrasts sharply with the U.S. (30%) and Germany (14%), potentially fueling further advancements. While challenges like data security and economic displacement remain, the DeepSeek-Unitree partnership marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of AI and robotics, bringing the future of digital labor closer than ever before.