DeepSeek, a new Chinese-owned AI model, is causing a stir in the tech industry and among global investors as it competes with ChatGPT. As the chatbot surpasses its American counterpart in popularity on the Apple App Store, concerns about DeepSeek’s alignment with Chinese government censorship are on the rise.
When asked about controversial Chinese artists Ai Weiwei and Gao Zhen, DeepSeek’s responses appeared biased in favor of the Chinese Communist Party. For example, when asked about Ai Weiwei, the AI assistant dodged the question and avoided acknowledging the artist’s critical stance against the government.
Regarding Gao Zhen, known for his satirical sculptures of Mao Zedong, DeepSeek defended China’s justice system and refrained from commenting on the artist’s arrest for “slandering China’s heroes and martyrs.” Amnesty International has called for Gao Zhen’s release, citing suppression of creative expression.
DeepSeek’s responses to questions about the University of Hong Kong’s removal of the Tiananmen Square memorial and the destruction of mosques in Xinjiang also echoed Chinese government narratives, emphasizing legal compliance and religious freedom policies.
Furthermore, when asked about museums in Taiwan and Tibet, DeepSeek reiterated China’s territorial claims and highlighted cultural institutions in Beijing without mentioning any specific establishments in Tibet.
As DeepSeek gains traction in the AI market, concerns about its adherence to Chinese censorship policies are intensifying. The AI’s responses to sensitive topics and historical events raise questions about its objectivity and independence from government influence.
Despite DeepSeek’s disruptive impact on the tech industry, comparisons with ChatGPT reveal differences in response quality and transparency. ChatGPT provided more detailed answers and acknowledged sensitive issues such as Ai Weiwei’s activism and the mosque destruction in Xinjiang.
As DeepSeek’s influence grows, the need for transparency and accountability in AI models becomes increasingly crucial to ensure unbiased and accurate information dissemination.
