OpenAI is calling on the U.S. government to ban DeepSeek AI, a China-developed chatbot, from being used in sensitive sectors such as government, military, and intelligence agencies. The company argues that DeepSeek is state-subsidized and state-controlled, posing a significant national security risk and threatening U.S. leadership in AI development.
Key Concerns Raised by OpenAI
1. Security and Data Risks
OpenAI warns that DeepSeek could be influenced or monitored by the Chinese government. Allowing the chatbot to process sensitive communications or be used within critical industries could create potential vulnerabilities for espionage or cyber threats.
2. Intellectual Property Violations
OpenAI alleges that DeepSeek may have reverse-engineered or copied its models using unauthorized techniques such as distillation, a method that extracts knowledge from advanced AI models to recreate similar functionality. This raises concerns about intellectual property theft and the ethical use of AI training data.
3. U.S. AI Leadership at Risk
The rapid advancement of Chinese AI models, including DeepSeek, could challenge U.S. dominance in artificial intelligence. OpenAI suggests that if unchecked, China could achieve technological parity or superiority by 2030, affecting both economic and security interests.
OpenAI’s Recommendations to the U.S. Government
To counter potential threats, OpenAI is urging policymakers to take specific actions that would both limit DeepSeek’s presence in the U.S. and strengthen domestic AI development. These recommendations include:
- Ban on Certain AI Technologies – Restrict the use of Chinese AI models in critical industries where data security is essential.
- Adjust AI Regulations – Reduce regulatory constraints on American AI developers to accelerate innovation and competitiveness.
- Access to Training Data – Ensure that U.S. AI models can be trained effectively without excessive copyright restrictions, which could hinder advancements.
How Other Countries Are Reacting to DeepSeek AI
Concerns over DeepSeek extend beyond the U.S., with multiple countries already taking precautionary actions:
- Taiwan – Government agencies have been advised against using DeepSeek due to security concerns.
- South Korea – Regulatory bodies have halted new downloads of the chatbot to assess potential risks.
- United States – Some U.S. agencies, including the Navy, have already warned personnel about using DeepSeek for official purposes.
The Growing AI Cold War
The push to ban DeepSeek reflects a broader geopolitical struggle over AI dominance. As the U.S. and China race to lead in artificial intelligence, the balance between innovation, security, and ethical AI development remains a key challenge. OpenAI’s call for government intervention signals that AI is no longer just a technological competition but a matter of national security and policy strategy.
