Experts Caution Against Rapid Adoption of Chinese AI DeepSeek

Experts are expressing serious concerns regarding the widespread use of the Chinese artificial intelligence platform, DeepSeek. They warn that adopting this AI could lead to misinformation and may enable the Chinese government to misuse the personal data of users.

The UK government has confirmed that the decision to use this AI tool lies with individual citizens. However, they are actively monitoring any potential risks to national security stemming from its use, assuring the public that they will take necessary measures if threats arise.

This new, low-cost AI platform has already made headlines, notably erasing $1 trillion from the major US tech stock index shortly after its launch. Additionally, DeepSeek has quickly ascended to become the most downloaded app in both the UK and the US, prompting reactions from public figures, including Donald Trump, who termed it a "wake-up call" for technology companies.

DeepSeek's introduction to the market has taken many in the tech industry by surprise, primarily because it showcases performance levels comparable to existing platforms like ChatGPT, all at a significantly lower price.

According to Michael Wooldridge, a professor at the University of Oxford specializing in AI, it's reasonable to suspect that any data entered into DeepSeek could potentially be accessed by the Chinese state. He stated, "It's fine to use it for casual inquiries, but I would never recommend sharing sensitive or personal information. You just can’t be sure where that data might end up."

Dame Wendy Hall, who serves on a United Nations advisory panel on AI, pointed out the complications inherent in using technology from Chinese companies. She noted that such companies must comply with the regulations imposed by the Chinese government, which raises significant concerns regarding freedom of expression.

Ross Burley, co-founder of the Centre for Information Resilience, which is partially funded by the US and UK governments, emphasized the risks associated with DeepSeek, explaining how the Chinese government has a history of utilizing technology for surveillance and control. He warned that if such tools are left unchecked, they could contribute to misinformation campaigns and weaken public trust in democratic systems.

On a recent podcast, UK Technology Secretary Peter Kyle remarked on the urgency of fully understanding DeepSeek prior to widespread acceptance. He noted that this AI reflects a Chinese model ingrained with censorship, contrasting it with AI models that uphold values such as freedom of speech.

DeepSeek operates as an open-source platform, inviting developers to customize it for various applications. This has raised hopes for a fresh wave of AI innovation, particularly as US firms dominate the field, often relying on extensive investments in resources.

Wooldridge affirmed that the emergence of DeepSeek sends a clear message: China is competitive in the AI arena. However, many users have discovered limitations within DeepSeek when asking about sensitive historical events. For example, when inquired about the Tiananmen Square incident, the AI hesitated, highlighting the sensitivity of the topic while also acknowledging the severe governmental response that occurred.

By using AI tools like DeepSeek, individuals often process sensitive work documents. But users must remember that shared files could be utilized by the companies owning the AI for various purposes, including training their models. DeepSeek, based in Hangzhou, specifically states in its privacy policy that user data is stored on servers situated in the People’s Republic of China, underscoring the need for caution.

Furthermore, the Chinese national intelligence law mandates that all companies, organizations, and citizens must cooperate with national intelligence agencies, putting additional pressure on the use of technology like DeepSeek.

AI, China, Data, Security, Information