OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, has accused rival AI firms—including China’s DeepSeek—of using its research and models to fast-track their artificial intelligence (AI) advancements. The complaint highlights concerns over knowledge distillation, a process where AI models are refined based on the output of more advanced models rather than being trained independently from scratch.
The rapid rise of DeepSeek, which has reportedly developed AI technology comparable to ChatGPT at a fraction of the cost, has unsettled the AI industry. Bloomberg reports that Microsoft, OpenAI’s largest investor, is investigating whether OpenAI’s data was used improperly in DeepSeek’s development.
Microsoft and DeepSeek have been contacted for comment but have not yet responded.
US Officials Weigh National Security Risks
The US government has noted DeepSeek’s growing influence. White House “AI and crypto czar” David Sacks warned that DeepSeek may have built its models by distilling knowledge from OpenAI’s technology.
“There’s substantial evidence that what DeepSeek did here is they distilled the knowledge out of OpenAI’s models,” said Sacks on Fox News.
OpenAI echoed these concerns, stating:
“Chinese and other companies are constantly trying to distil the models of leading US AI companies. As we move forward, it is critically important that we work closely with the US government to protect the most capable models.”
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that the National Security Council is investigating potential risks posed by DeepSeek’s emergence. US President Donald Trump recently described DeepSeek as a “wake-up call” for the American tech industry, urging policymakers to address AI security vulnerabilities.
The US Navy has banned its personnel from using DeepSeek’s applications due to “potential security and ethical concerns.” According to CNBC, the Navy sent a warning email to staff advising them against using the tool, citing risks linked to its origin and data practices.
DeepSeek’s Alleged Misuse of OpenAI Data
While DeepSeek claims to have developed its AI models independently, some experts remain sceptical. Naomi Haefner, assistant professor of technology management at the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland, questioned whether DeepSeek trained its models from scratch.
“If OpenAI’s claims are correct, then DeepSeek’s cost-efficient training claims are deceptive. Until someone replicates the training approach, we won’t know whether such cost reductions are possible,” she said.
Similarly, Crystal van Oosterom, AI Venture Partner at OpenOcean, noted that DeepSeek had built upon publicly available research from major US and European tech firms. However, whether this constitutes intellectual property infringement remains a grey area, as AI development often involves leveraging existing research.
Even US AI giants have faced accusations of disregarding intellectual property rights—particularly regarding the datasets used to train AI models. This raises ethical questions about the entire industry’s approach to AI development.
Security and Cyber Threats
Amidst rising scrutiny, DeepSeek claims it has been the target of large-scale cyber attacks. On Monday, the company announced it would temporarily limit new user registrations due to malicious attacks on its systems. A notice on DeepSeek’s website warns users that sign-ups may be affected by ongoing cybersecurity threats.
Data privacy experts have also urged caution when using DeepSeek, noting that the platform collects large amounts of user data and stores it on servers in China. This has led to concerns about government surveillance and data security.
As AI competition intensifies, the battle between OpenAI, DeepSeek, and other AI developers is shaping into a defining struggle in the global tech landscape. With concerns over intellectual property, security risks, and regulatory oversight, the future of AI development may hinge on how nations navigate these complex challenges.
For more tech news and insights, visit Rwanda Tech News, and explore similar topics and trends in the world of technology.
