The United States Navy has recently made the decision to ban the use of DeepSeek, an artificial intelligence chatbot developed in China, due to concerns over potential security risks and ethical implications. The Navy issued an email to its members instructing them to refrain from using DeepSeek AI in any capacity, citing worries about the origin and usage of the model.
DeepSeek quickly gained popularity after its launch on Apple’s App Store and Google’s Play Store, with over 2 million downloads in a short period. However, experts have expressed apprehensions about the app’s data storage practices, including storing sensitive information such as keystrokes in China where it could potentially be accessed by unauthorized entities.
Angela Zhang, a law professor at the University of Southern California, drew parallels between DeepSeek and other Chinese tech companies like TikTok, emphasizing the possible national security threats posed by the collection of user data by a Chinese-based company. All companies in China are required by law to share data with the government upon request, raising further concerns about data privacy and security.
The development of DeepSeek, created by millennial math whiz Lian Wenfeng, at a fraction of the cost of Western AI programs has caused a stir in the American markets. President Trump’s announcement of a $500 billion AI initiative called “Stargate” coincided with the launch of DeepSeek, leading to a significant drop in major US tech stocks and market value.
Despite the implications of DeepSeek’s advanced AI capabilities, Trump appeared unfazed during a press conference, viewing the development as a positive advancement in AI technology. He saw the emergence of a cheaper and faster AI method from China as a potential asset that could benefit American companies as well, serving as a wake-up call for the US AI industry.
In conclusion, the Navy’s ban on DeepSeek highlights the growing concerns surrounding data security and national security threats posed by foreign AI technologies. The rapid rise of DeepSeek and its impact on the American tech industry underscore the need for vigilance and oversight in the development and use of AI applications.
