US Officials Assess Security Risks Of Chinese AI ‘DeepSeek’ Following Breakthrough.
US officials are evaluating the national security implications of a reported artificial intelligence (AI) breakthrough by Chinese tech firm DeepSeek, according to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.
The announcement follows reports that the US Navy has banned its personnel from using DeepSeek’s applications due to “potential security and ethical concerns”. Meanwhile, OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, has pledged to collaborate with the US government to prevent foreign competitors from replicating its technology.
DeepSeek’s latest AI model, described as both powerful and cost-effective, caused a slump in US tech stocks earlier this week, raising questions over the billions of dollars being invested in AI infrastructure by American firms.
Security Concerns and Industry Reactions
Leavitt confirmed that the National Security Council is reviewing the potential risks posed by DeepSeek’s development, reinforcing President Donald Trump’s earlier statement that the Chinese firm’s success should serve as a wake-up call for the US tech sector.
According to CNBC, the US Navy issued an internal directive advising personnel against using DeepSeek’s app, citing concerns over its origin and data security. However, the Navy has not officially commented on the matter.
David Sacks, the White House’s newly appointed “AI and crypto czar”, suggested that DeepSeek may have utilised a technique called knowledge distillation—where an AI model learns from another—to enhance its capabilities using OpenAI’s technology.
“There’s substantial evidence that what DeepSeek did here is distill the knowledge from OpenAI’s models,” Sacks said during an interview with Fox News. He added that leading US AI firms are likely to implement measures to prevent such practices, which could slow down the emergence of similar rival models.
OpenAI echoed these concerns, stating that foreign companies are “constantly trying to distil the models of leading US AI firms.” The company reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding its intellectual property in close cooperation with the US government.
DeepSeek Faces Cyber Attacks
DeepSeek, meanwhile, claims it has been the target of cyber attacks. The company announced on Monday that it would temporarily limit user registrations due to “large-scale malicious attacks” on its software. A notice on its website warned users of potential delays in signing up.
Chinese state media outlet Yuyuan Tantian, affiliated with national broadcaster CCTV, reported that DeepSeek has experienced “several” cyber attacks in recent weeks, with increasing intensity.
Implications for the AI Race
DeepSeek’s rapid rise has unsettled the US tech industry, which has long believed it was far ahead in the AI race, particularly following trade restrictions limiting China’s access to advanced semiconductor chips. Despite China’s investment in cutting-edge technology, DeepSeek was not previously considered a major player in the AI sector.
While some experts argue that the US retains an advantage due to its dominance in semiconductor manufacturing, questions remain about how DeepSeek developed its model and its potential to compete on a global scale.
Commenting on the situation, President Trump described DeepSeek’s rise as both a “wake-up call” and a possible opportunity.
“If you could do it cheaper, if you could do it for less and get the same end result, I think that’s a good thing for us,” he told reporters aboard Air Force One. However, he expressed confidence that the US would maintain its leadership in AI development.
As the global AI landscape continues to evolve, both the US and China are poised for intensified competition in this critical technological sector.
