How DeepSeek answers questions on China differently than ChatGPT
Jan 28, 2025 - fastcompany.com
Chinese tech startup DeepSeek has launched a new AI chatbot, sparking discussions about the AI competition between China and the U.S. The chatbot quickly became the top downloaded free app on Apple's iPhone store, causing a dip in the stocks of major U.S. tech companies. While its impact on the AI industry remains uncertain, the chatbot appears to censor responses on sensitive Chinese topics, aligning with China's internet practices. In 2023, China mandated security reviews and approvals for tech products before public release.
In a comparison of responses, DeepSeek's chatbot described Winnie-the-Pooh as a beloved character symbolizing joy and friendship, while ChatGPT noted the bear's use as a symbol of political satire against President Xi Jinping, highlighting perceived physical similarities. This reflects the differing approaches to sensitive topics between the two AI systems.
Key takeaways:
DeepSeek's AI chatbot has become the most downloaded free app on Apple's iPhone store, sparking discussions about AI competition between China and the U.S.
The launch of DeepSeek's chatbot caused a decline in the stock prices of major Wall Street tech companies.
DeepSeek's chatbot appears to censor responses on sensitive Chinese topics, reflecting China's internet practices.
China's 2023 regulations require companies to conduct security reviews and obtain approvals before launching AI products.
