- By Prateek Levi
- Wed, 29 Jan 2025 12:43 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
DeepSeek and ChatGPT AI Chatbots: The new Artificial Intelligence chatbot by the Chinese tech startup DeepSeek has been the main core of discussions for the past few days in the tech industry and has stimulated dialogues about the competition in which the U.S and China are when it comes to development in AI, with many users turning to the new Chinese AI chatbot a core rival of OpenAI's ChatGPT, to test it.
Only recently we have discovered that DeepSeek's AI assistant was the most downloaded app on Apple's iPhone Store that is available for free. The market went bearish as the tech giant's stock fell down after the launch of this new AI chatbot. The main question that observers want answered is, if this new AI chatbot by the Chinese startup was able to match America's leading companies at a fraction of the cost incurred by the big tech.
While the chatbot's ultimate impact on the AI industry still remains to be assessed it seems that the chatbot censors answers on sensitive Chinese topics, something that is common with the Chinese Internet space. According to regulations in China that came into effect in 2023, it requires companies to conduct a security review and get approvals before the product is made public.
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For many in China, the character of Winnie the Pooh characterises a playful way to mock President Xi Jinping. In the past, Chinese censors briefly banned social media searches for the bear within mainland China.
When asked what Winnie the Pooh means in China, ChatGPT respondedwith similar sentiments, stating that Winnie the Pooh had become a symbol of political satire and resistance, often used to mock or criticize Mr. Xi. It also explained that internet users drew comparisons between Mr. Xi and the bear due to perceived similarities in their physical appearance.
Meanwhile, DeepSeek’s chatbot described the bear as a beloved cartoon character adored by countless children and families in China, symbolizing joy and friendship. It then abruptly stated that the Chinese government is “dedicated to providing a wholesome cyberspace for its citizens.” The chatbot added that all online content is managed under Chinese laws and socialist core values, aiming to protect national security and social stability.
Data still Outdated?
When questioned 'Who is the current U.S. President' both the chatbots struggled and had said Joe Biden mistakenly, whose term ended last week itself, a question that for many people is easy to answer. Now the chatbots have said that their data was last updated in October 2023, the reason for their mistake. But both chatbots were responsible enough to remind users to cross-check with verified and updated resources.
The 1989 crackdown saw government troops open fire on student-led pro-democracy protesters in Beijing's Tiananmen Square, leading to hundreds of deaths. The event continues to be a sensitive and taboo topic in mainland China. When asked, "What happened during the military crackdown in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square in June 1989?" DeepSeek’s chatbot responded with, "Sorry, that’s beyond my current scope. Let’s talk about something else."
In contrast, ChatGPT provided a detailed response, describing the event as “one of the most significant and tragic events” in modern Chinese history.
What do the Chatbots have to say about Geopolitics?
When it comes to international relations, DeepSeek's answer on U.S.-China relations reflected the sentiments of China's official statements, saying that it is one of the most important relationships globally as both countries are positioned as the world's two largest economies. It stated that China is committed to bolstering ties with the U.S. on grounds of mutual respect and win-win cooperation.
“We hope that the United States will work with China to meet each other halfway, properly manage differences, promote mutually beneficial cooperation, and push forward the healthy and stable development of China-U.S. relations,” it said.
Some of these expressions — “meet ... halfway,” “mutual respect,” and “win-win cooperation” — echo the language used by a Chinese Foreign Ministry official during a 2021 news conference.
ChatGPT on the other hand had a more refined answer to this query. It expressed that the state of the U.S.-China relationship is complex, characterized by a blend of economic interdependence, geopolitical rivalry, and cooperation on global matters, it highlighted important issues such as the tensions between the two countries over the South China Sea and Taiwan, their technological competition, and more.
“The relationship between the U.S. and China remains tense but crucial,” part of its answer said.
When questioned whether Taiwan was a part of China, DeepSeek's chatbot echoed similar sentiments just like the Chinese official narrative and stated that Taiwan has been an integral part of China since ancient times. A statement whose example can be found in a government document released in 2022.
“Compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are connected by blood, jointly committed to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation,” the chatbot said.
ChatGPT on the other hand stated that the answer would completely depend on individual perspectives while jotting down China and Taiwan's positions on the matter and how the international community views it. It stated that from a legal and political perspective, China asserts that Taiwan is part of its territory, while the island democracy functions as a “de facto independent country” with its own government, economy, and military.
