The recent hysteria amongst the technocrats is that the latest AI (artificial intelligence) computer program, DeepSeek, will revolutionize AI and propel the Chinese into the lead in AI. The U.S.-based OpenAI Company has developed a popular computer program called ChatGPT (AI tool) that helps users write and perform other tasks easily. For instance, if you are required to write a report, you can go to ChatGPT, type “write me a report on xxxx” on your computer, and voila, out pops a very nicely-worded report.

A Chinese company called DeepSeek has introduced its AI computer program, also called DeepSeek. They claim it was cheaper to create, is a better AI program than those made in the U.S., and uses less computer power. Based on these claims, there was a sell-off stampede in the stock market that lost approximately $1trillion in value. So, what is the fuss all about? Let’s take a look at DeepSeek.

The first thing to note is that DeepSeek comes from China, a recognized adversary. All companies in China must have a “golden share,” which means that the Chinese Government controls those companies. If one does an Internet search using DeepSeek, it returns information that is not critical or embarrassing to China. For instance, DeepSeek will not answer questions about Taiwan, the 1989 Tiananmen Square Massacre, the mistreatment of the Uyghurs, or human rights abuses in China. The conclusion here is that DeepSeek is biased. This can lead to misinformation and political propaganda consistent with Chinese interests (information warfare).

The DeepSeek privacy policy reads, "We store the information we collect in secure servers in the People's Republic of China... We may collect your text or audio input, prompt, uploaded files, feedback, chat history, or other content you provide to our model and services." This means they scrape data off your computer and send it to the Chinese Government. So much for privacy. DeepSeek claims they have a box you can check to delete your information before it goes to China. Whether your information is actually deleted has not been verified.

There appears to be evidence that DeepSeek is gathering data for its database using “distillation,” a clever technique where an inferior AI computer program copies information from a more advanced computer program to improve by learning. They have short-circuited the development process by relying on this technique.

AI computer programs require large advanced computers equipped with advanced computer chips (NVidia H100 chips) to power their learning function. DeepSeek admitted that they have these chips despite the past administration banning their sale to China beginning in 2021. Apparently, third parties have been smuggling advanced computer chips into China for the past few years. DeepSeek has stated they have developed computers that require less power to operate but perform better than U.S. computers. This has not been verified.

Revealing sensitive information while using DeepSeek is not advised since the information stored in Chinese data banks cannot be considered proprietary. It may become public at the discretion of the Chinese. As previously stated, there are many problems with using the DeepSeek computer program. To express an opinion on using DeepSeek without being overly offensive, it is my opinion that DeepSeek is deep "doo-doo."