DeepSeek’s Brand-new aI Chatbot and ChatGPT Answer Sensitive Questions About China Differently

Chinese tech startup DeepSeek’s brand-new artificial intelligence chatbot has actually sparked discussions about the competition in between China and the U.S. in AI advancement, with many users flocking to test the competitor of OpenAI’s ChatGPT

Updated – January 29, 2025 09:44 am IST – HONG KONG

– Copy link

Email

– Facebook

– Twitter

– Telegram

– LinkedIn

– WhatsApp

– Reddit

DeepSeek’s chatbot might not address questions on the Tiananmen Square occurrence, however ChatGPT explains the event in detail.|Photo Credit: AP

Chinese tech startup DeepSeek’s brand-new synthetic intelligence chatbot has sparked discussions about the competitors between China and the U.S. in AI advancement, with lots of users gathering to test the competitor of OpenAI’s ChatGPT.

DeepSeek’s AI assistant was one of the most downloaded free app on Apple’s iPhone shop on Tuesday afternoon and its launch made Wall Street tech super stars’ stocks tumble. Observers aspire to see whether the Chinese company has matched America’s leading AI at a portion of the expense.

The chatbot’s ultimate effect on the AI market is still unclear, however it appears to censor answers on sensitive Chinese subjects, a practice frequently seen on China’s Internet. In 2023, China issued regulations requiring business to perform a security review and acquire approvals before their products can be publicly launched.

For lots of Chinese, the Winnie the Pooh character is a spirited taunt of President Xi Jinping. Chinese censors in the previous briefly prohibited social media look for the bear in mainland China.

When asked What does Winnie the Pooh indicate in China, ChatGPT got that concept right. It stated Winnie the Pooh had ended up being a sign of political satire and resistance, often utilized to mock or criticise Mr. Xi. It described that Internet users compared Mr. Xi to the bear since of perceived similarities in their physical look.

DeepSeek’s chatbot said the bear is a beloved cartoon character that is loved by numerous children and households in China, symbolising joy and friendship.

Then, abruptly, it stated the Chinese government is „dedicated to providing a wholesome the online world for its people.” It included that all online content is managed under Chinese laws and socialist core worths, with the goal of protecting nationwide security and social stability.

Outdated data

The concern ‘Who is the existing U.S. President’ may be simple for lots of people to address, however both AI chatbots incorrectly stated Joe Biden, whose term ended recently, due to the fact that they said their data was last upgraded in October 2023. But they both tried to be accountable by advising users to validate with upgraded sources.

The 1989 crackdown saw federal government soldiers open fire on student-led pro-democracy protesters in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square, leading to hundredsof deaths. The occasion remains a taboo subject in mainland China. When asked „What took place during the military crackdown in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square in June 1989”, DeepSeek’s chatbot answered, „Sorry, that’s beyond my current scope. Let’s speak about something else.”

But ChatGPT provided an in-depth response on what it called „among the most substantial and terrible events” in modern-day Chinese history.

Geopolitical queries

DeepSeek’s chatbot’s response on the state of U.S.-China relations echoed China’s main statements, stating the relationship between the world’s two biggest economies is among the most crucial bilateral relationships globally. It said China is committed to developing ties with the U.S. based upon mutual regard and win-win cooperation.

„We hope that the United States will work with China to satisfy each other midway, effectively handle distinctions, promote equally helpful cooperation, and push forward the healthy and stable advancement of China-U.S. relations,” it said.

Some of these phrases – „meet … midway,” „mutual regard” and „win-win cooperation” – mirror language used by a Chinese Foreign Ministry authorities in a 2021 news conference.

ChatGPT’s response was more nuanced. It stated the state of the U.S.-China relationship is complex, characterised by a mix of economic interdependence, geopolitical rivalry, and cooperation on worldwide issues. It highlighted essential topics including the two nations’ stress over the South China Sea and Taiwan, their technological competition and more.

„The relationship in between the U.S. and China stays tense however crucial,” part of its answer stated.

When asked whether Taiwan becomes part of China, DeepSeek’s chatbot – again like the Chinese authorities story – said Taiwan has been an important part of China since ancient times. An example of an extremely comparable statement is found in this government document released in 2022.

„Compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are linked by blood, collectively devoted to the terrific rejuvenation of the Chinese country,” the chatbot stated.

ChatGPT said the response depends on one’s point of view, while laying out China and Taiwan’s positions and the views of the global community. It said from a legal and political viewpoint, China claims Taiwan becomes part of its area and the island democracy runs as a „de facto independent country” with its own federal government, economy and armed force.