Evaluating DeepSeek: A New Player in the AI Chatbot Arena

The launch of China's AI chatbot DeepSeek has led to significant market reactions in the U.S. while raising questions about its features and implications for AI dominance. Unlike its American counterparts, DeepSeek exhibits self-censorship, particularly regarding politically sensitive topics in China. Experts speculate about its potential impact on AI development and monetization strategies.

DeepSeek, a recently launched Chinese AI chatbot, has stirred considerable attention in the U.S. markets, leading to discussions about the future of AI competition. The app, which is reminiscent of OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini, allows users to engage in conversations by asking various questions. However, users have noted its tendency to be overly chatty and to provide lengthy responses devoid of opinion. In its interactions, the chatbot often states that topics are "highly subjective," avoiding direct opinions on contentious issues ranging from politics to consumer preferences.

Trained on data up to October 2023, DeepSeek shows certain functionalities comparable to its Western rivals, including an ability to access current information. However, a notable distinction arises in its operation: DeepSeek censors content related to sensitive subjects prohibited in China. For instance, inquiries about the Tiananmen Square protests lead to the abrupt halt of responses, replaced by a vague prompt to discuss other topics. In contrast, ChatGPT openly provides information about the same events.

Kayla Blomquist, a researcher at the Oxford Internet Institute, highlights a noticeable difference in governmental oversight over DeepSeek compared to past scenarios in China. She mentions a significant recent investment from the central government that may influence the app's future operations.

Despite some performance limitations, particularly during peak usage as users flock to test its capabilities, DeepSeek attempts to cut costs and computational requirements by utilizing older Nvidia chips and existing frameworks, such as Meta’s Llama and Alibaba’s Qwen. This innovation might signal a shift in the typical monetisation strategies pursued by leading U.S. firms, as discussed by Ms. Blomquist.

As discussions evolve in the coming months, the impact of DeepSeek on the global AI landscape remains uncertain. The chatbot exemplifies both the competitive pressures in AI technology and the geopolitical nuances of its development and deployment.