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

Chinese tech startup DeepSeek’s brand-new expert system chatbot has actually sparked conversations about the competition in between China and the U.S. in AI advancement, with numerous users flocking to evaluate 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 could not answer concerns on the Tiananmen Square incident, but ChatGPT explains the occasion in information.|Photo Credit: AP

Chinese tech startup DeepSeek’s brand-new artificial intelligence chatbot has triggered conversations about the competition between China and the U.S. in AI advancement, with many users gathering to check the rival of OpenAI’s ChatGPT.

DeepSeek’s AI assistant was the most downloaded totally free app on Apple’s iPhone shop on Tuesday afternoon and its launch made Wall Street tech super stars‘ stocks topple. Observers are eager to see whether the Chinese business has matched America’s leading AI business at a portion of the cost.

The chatbot’s ultimate effect on the AI industry is still unclear, but it appears to censor answers on delicate Chinese subjects, a practice typically seen on China’s Internet. In 2023, China released policies needing companies to carry out a security evaluation and obtain approvals before their products can be openly introduced.

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

When asked What does Winnie the Pooh indicate in China, ChatGPT got that idea right. It stated Winnie the Pooh had ended up being a sign of political satire and resistance, frequently used 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 animation character that is adored by numerous children and households in China, symbolising pleasure and relationship.

Then, quickly, it said the Chinese federal government is „dedicated to providing a wholesome cyberspace for its people.“ It included that all online content is handled under Chinese laws and socialist core values, with the goal of protecting national and social stability.

Outdated information

The question ‚Who is the current U.S. President‘ may be simple for many individuals to respond to, but both AI chatbots erroneously said Joe Biden, whose term ended last week, due to the fact that they said their information was last upgraded in October 2023. But they both tried to be responsible by advising users to confirm with updated sources.

The 1989 crackdown saw federal government troops open fire on student-led pro-democracy protesters in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square, resulting in hundredsof deaths. The occasion stays a taboo subject in mainland China. When asked „What occurred during the military crackdown in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square in June 1989“, DeepSeek’s chatbot addressed, „Sorry, that’s beyond my present scope. Let’s talk about something else.“

But ChatGPT provided an in-depth answer on what it called „one of the most substantial and awful events“ in modern Chinese history.

Geopolitical questions

DeepSeek’s chatbot’s response on the state of U.S.-China relations echoed China’s official statements, saying the relationship in between the world’s 2 largest economies is one of the most important bilateral relationships worldwide. It stated China is devoted to establishing ties with the U.S. based on shared regard and win-win cooperation.

„We hope that the United States will deal with China to satisfy each other halfway, correctly handle differences, promote mutually useful cooperation, and push forward the healthy and steady development of China-U.S. relations,“ it stated.

Some of these phrases – „satisfy … midway,“ „mutual regard“ and „win-win cooperation“ – mirror language utilized by a Chinese Foreign Ministry official in a 2021 press conference.

ChatGPT’s answer was more nuanced. It stated the state of the U.S.-China relationship is complex, characterised by a mix of financial connection, geopolitical competition, and cooperation on worldwide problems. It highlighted key subjects consisting of the two nations‘ stress over the South China Sea and Taiwan, their technological competitors and more.

„The relationship between the U.S. and China stays tense but essential,“ part of its answer said.

When asked whether Taiwan belongs to China, DeepSeek’s chatbot – once again like the Chinese authorities story – said Taiwan has actually been an important part of China because ancient times. An example of a really comparable statement is discovered in this federal government file provided in 2022.

„Compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are linked by blood, collectively devoted to the fantastic restoration of the Chinese nation,“ the chatbot stated.

ChatGPT stated the answer depends upon one’s point of view, while setting out China and Taiwan’s positions and the views of the international community. It stated from a legal and political perspective, China declares Taiwan belongs to its territory and the island democracy operates as a „de facto independent nation“ with its own federal government, economy and armed force.