How Nonprofits Can Benefit from DeepSeek R1 on Azure AI Foundry and GitHub

In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, nonprofits often face unique challenges in leveraging advanced tools to enhance their operations and impact. The recent release of DeepSeek R1 on Azure AI Foundry and GitHub presents a remarkable opportunity for nonprofits to harness the power of cutting-edge AI. This blog explores how nonprofits can benefit from this innovative model and integrate it into their workflows to drive greater efficiency and effectiveness.

What is DeepSeek R1?

DeepSeek R1 is a powerful AI model that focuses on logical inference, mathematical problem-solving, and real-time decision-making. It is part of a diverse portfolio of over 1,800 AI models available on Azure AI Foundry, including frontier, open-source, industry-specific, and task-based models. By making DeepSeek R1 accessible on both Azure AI Foundry and GitHub, Microsoft aims to democratize advanced AI capabilities, enabling organizations of all sizes to integrate AI seamlessly into their operations.

Benefits for Nonprofits

1. Enhanced Decision-Making: DeepSeek R1's advanced reasoning capabilities can help nonprofits make more informed decisions. Whether it's optimizing resource allocation, planning fundraising campaigns, or analyzing program outcomes, this model can provide valuable insights to guide strategic choices.
2. Improved Efficiency: Nonprofits often operate with limited resources and staff. By automating complex tasks and processes, DeepSeek R1 can free up valuable time for nonprofit teams to focus on their core mission. For example, the model can assist in data analysis, grant application reviews, and volunteer coordination.
3. Cost-Effective Solutions: One of the key advantages of using DeepSeek R1 on Azure AI Foundry is the cost-efficiency it offers. Nonprofits can leverage state-of-the-art AI capabilities without significant infrastructure investment. The model's availability on GitHub also provides access to a wealth of resources and step-by-step guides to facilitate integration.
4. Scalability and Flexibility: As nonprofits grow and their needs evolve, DeepSeek R1 can scale to meet increasing demands. The model's integration with Azure AI Foundry ensures a trusted, scalable, and enterprise-ready platform, allowing nonprofits to expand their AI capabilities as needed.
5. Security and Compliance: Microsoft has implemented rigorous safety evaluations and security reviews for DeepSeek R1, ensuring that nonprofits can deploy AI solutions confidently. Built-in content filtering and the Safety Evaluation System provide additional safeguards to maintain a secure and compliant environment.

Getting Started with DeepSeek R1

To start using DeepSeek R1, nonprofits can follow these steps:

1. Sign Up for Azure: If you don't have an Azure subscription, you can sign up for an Azure account to access Azure AI Foundry.
2. Explore the Model Catalog: Search for DeepSeek R1 in the model catalog on Azure AI Foundry. Open the model card to obtain the inference API and key and access the playground to try out prompts.
3. Create the Resources: Azure AI model inference is a capability in Azure AI Services resources in Azure. You can create model deployments under the resource to consume their predictions.

   4. Give the project a name, for example "my-project".

 5. Once completed, your project is ready to be configured: Azure AI model inference is a Preview feature that needs to be turned on in Azure AI Foundry. At the top navigation bar, over the right corner, select the Preview features icon. A contextual blade shows up at the right of the screen. Turn on the Deploy models to Azure AI model inference service feature.

 6. Add DeepSeek-R1 model deployment: Go to Model catalog section in Azure AI Foundry portal and find the model DeepSeek-R1 model. Accept the terms on those cases by selecting Subscribe and deploy.

7. You can set deployment options now. By default, the deployment is named after the model. This name helps route requests to the right model and can be customized.

8. Azure picks a default AI Services connection for your project. Use Customize to change it. DeepSeek-R1 runs under the Global Standard type for better speed and performance.

9. Select Deploy.

10. Use the model in playground: You can get started by using the model in the playground to have an idea of the model capabilities.

-On the deployment details page, select Open in playground option in the top bar.

-In the Deployment drop down, the deployment you created has been automatically selected.

-Configure the system prompt as needed. In general, reasoning models don't use system messages in the same way that other types of models.

11. Use the model in code: Use the Azure AI model inference endpoint and credentials to connect to the model:

 12. You can use the Azure AI Inference package to consume the model in code:

By embracing DeepSeek R1, nonprofits can unlock new possibilities and drive greater impact in their communities. This powerful AI model offers a cost-effective, scalable, and secure solution to enhance decision-making, improve efficiency, and support the mission-driven work of nonprofit organizations.

References: DeepSeek R1 is now available on Azure AI Foundry and GitHub | Microsoft Azure Blog