The emergence of DeepSeek, a Chinese AI app that reportedly mimics the capabilities of OpenAI’s ChatGPT at a significantly lower cost, has sparked controversy in the AI community. OpenAI, known for its cutting-edge AI technologies, has voiced concerns that DeepSeek and other Chinese rivals may be leveraging its models without authorization to advance their own AI tools.

According to Bloomberg reports, Microsoft, a major investor in OpenAI, is investigating whether data belonging to OpenAI has been used unlawfully. This development has not only raised questions about intellectual property rights but has also prompted responses from US officials and industry experts regarding national security implications.

David Sacks, the White House “AI and crypto czar,” highlighted the issue on Fox News, suggesting that DeepSeek may have employed a technique known as knowledge distillation to enhance its AI models using insights from OpenAI’s research. He emphasized the need for US AI companies to take measures to protect their intellectual property, potentially slowing down the proliferation of similar models.

In response to these developments, OpenAI emphasized the importance of collaborating closely with the US government to safeguard advanced AI models. The company expressed concerns that Chinese competitors are constantly attempting to replicate and refine models developed by leading US AI firms.

Meanwhile, the controversy surrounding DeepSeek extends beyond intellectual property concerns. Questions about the app’s safety and ethical implications have arisen, with reports suggesting potential risks associated with data security and the app’s origin in China. The US navy has reportedly cautioned its personnel against using DeepSeek due to these concerns, underscoring broader anxieties within the US government about the implications of foreign AI technologies.

As debates continue over the ethical and security implications of AI development, experts caution users to exercise caution when using AI tools like DeepSeek, particularly regarding data privacy and cybersecurity risks. DeepSeek itself has acknowledged facing cyber attacks, prompting the company to temporarily limit registrations to mitigate these threats.

The emergence of DeepSeek and its implications highlight ongoing challenges in balancing technological advancement with security and ethical considerations in the global AI landscape.