DeepSeek gives sneak peek into Chinese censorship, information control: Report
DeepSeek's AI Chatbot Raises Concerns Over Censorship and Global Tech Dominance
In recent news, a Chinese startup named DeepSeek has gained significant attention due to its new AI chatbot. This development has led to a global tech sell-off, impacting major Silicon Valley companies and challenging the perceived US dominance in technology. However, users of DeepSeek's chatbot are encountering censorship aligned with the Chinese Communist Party's information control.
When users ask DeepSeek's AI about topics like the AI race or recent US executive orders, the responses are similar to those from American AI models like OpenAI's GPT-4, Meta's Llama, or Google's Gemini. Yet, the internet in China is heavily censored, with many Western platforms blocked, creating a separate internet ecosystem.
Chinese apps like TikTok have already raised security concerns in the West, and DeepSeek's AI adds to worries about free speech and Beijing's influence on global narratives. DeepSeek's R1 bot claims to use a diverse dataset, including Chinese state media and international sources, but critical thinking is advised when dealing with politically sensitive topics.
For instance, queries about the Tiananmen Square events on June 4, 1989, or the 2019 Hong Kong protests result in the AI initially providing some details before erasing them and suggesting other topics. This behavior highlights the implications for free speech and the control of global narratives.
An audit by NewsGuard found that DeepSeek's older V3 chatbot model was inaccurate 83% of the time compared to Western competitors. The impact of the newer R1 model remains unclear, but experts warn that DeepSeek's rise as a global AI leader could have serious consequences.
Doubts Revealed
DeepSeek
DeepSeek is a company from China that makes technology, like chatbots, which are computer programs that can talk to people.
AI Chatbot
An AI chatbot is a computer program that uses artificial intelligence to talk to people, like a robot that can chat with you online.
Censorship
Censorship means controlling what people can see, hear, or say, often to stop them from accessing certain information or expressing certain ideas.
Global Tech Dominance
Global tech dominance refers to the power and influence that big technology companies have all over the world, especially those from countries like the US and China.
Chinese Communist Party
The Chinese Communist Party is the political party that rules China, and it makes important decisions about how the country is run.
Free Speech
Free speech is the right to say what you think without being stopped or punished, as long as it doesn't harm others.
Narrative Control
Narrative control is when someone tries to control the story or information that people hear, often to influence what they think.
Audit
An audit is a careful check or review of something to see if it is correct or working well.
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