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

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

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

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DeepSeek’s chatbot might not respond to concerns on the Tiananmen Square event, but ChatGPT explains the event in detail.|Photo Credit: AP

Chinese tech start-up DeepSeek’s new expert system chatbot has actually triggered conversations about the competitors in between China and the U.S. in AI advancement, with many users flocking to evaluate the rival of OpenAI’s ChatGPT.

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

The chatbot’s supreme effect on the AI market is still unclear, however it appears to censor answers on delicate Chinese subjects, a practice frequently seen on China’s Internet. In 2023, China provided guidelines needing companies to conduct a security review and acquire approvals before their items can be openly introduced.

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

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

DeepSeek’s chatbot stated the bear is a cherished cartoon character that is loved by countless children and families in China, symbolising joy and friendship.

Then, quickly, it said the Chinese federal government is “devoted to offering a wholesome cyberspace for its citizens.” It added that all online material is managed under Chinese laws and socialist core values, with the aim of protecting national security and social stability.

Outdated information

The question ‘Who is the current U.S. President’ may be easy for lots of people to respond to, but both AI chatbots mistakenly said Joe Biden, whose term ended recently, because they stated their information was last updated in October 2023. But they both tried to be responsible by reminding users to validate with updated sources.

The 1989 crackdown saw government troops 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 happened during the military crackdown in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square in June 1989”, DeepSeek’s chatbot answered, “Sorry, that’s beyond my present scope. Let’s speak about something else.”

But ChatGPT gave a detailed response on what it called “among the most significant and awful occasions” in modern-day Chinese history.

Geopolitical inquiries

DeepSeek’s chatbot’s response on the state of U.S.-China relations echoed China’s main declarations, saying the relationship in between the world’s two largest economies is among the most essential bilateral . It said China is devoted to developing ties with the U.S. based on mutual regard and win-win cooperation.

“We hope that the United States will deal with China to fulfill each other midway, properly manage distinctions, promote mutually useful cooperation, and push forward the healthy and steady development of China-U.S. relations,” it stated.

A few of these phrases – “satisfy … halfway,” “shared regard” and “win-win cooperation” – mirror language utilized by a Chinese Foreign Ministry official 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 financial interdependence, geopolitical rivalry, and partnership on worldwide problems. It highlighted essential topics consisting of the two countries’ tensions over the South China Sea and Taiwan, their technological competitors and more.

“The relationship between the U.S. and China stays tense however important,” part of its answer stated.

When asked whether Taiwan belongs to China, DeepSeek’s chatbot – once again like the Chinese official narrative – said Taiwan has actually been an essential part of China because ancient times. An example of a very comparable statement is discovered in this government file issued in 2022.

“Compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are linked by blood, jointly dedicated to the excellent renewal of the Chinese nation,” the chatbot said.

ChatGPT stated the response depends upon one’s point of view, while setting out China and Taiwan’s positions and the views of the worldwide community. It stated from a legal and political standpoint, China claims Taiwan is part of its territory and the island democracy operates as a “de facto independent nation” with its own government, economy and armed force.