DeepSeek, a Chinese tech startup, has launched an AI chatbot that ignites conversations around China-US competition in AI innovation. Users are keen to see if DeepSeek can compete with leaders like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, especially given the lower costs involved. The chatbot soared to the top of Apple’s App Store, affecting tech shares on Wall Street.
However, the chatbot demonstrates censorship practices, avoiding sensitive topics like political criticisms related to President Xi Jinping and the Tiananmen Square protests. While ChatGPT provided detailed historical context, DeepSeek opted for vague responses when probed on such issues, reinforcing the controlled narrative typical of Chinese internet discourse.
Current events also show both chatbots inaccurately naming Joe Biden as the US president, despite his term ending, although they advise users to verify information against up-to-date sources.
On the complex state of US-China relations, DeepSeek’s chatbot echoed official rhetoric, promoting cooperation and mutual respect. In contrast, ChatGPT offered a more nuanced assessment, highlighting the intricate dynamics of geopolitical rivalry alongside economic interdependence.
As this new technology unfolds, its broader implications for the global AI landscape and the sensitivities of the information shared reveal the stark differences in how both chatbots operate under varying political environments.