China’s DeepSeek AI has taken the artificial intelligence world by storm, surpassing industry leaders such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude AI. Developed by DeepSeek Technology, the chatbot has gained significant traction globally, attracting both praise and scrutiny. A recent controversy surrounding DeepSeek’s refusal to acknowledge Arunachal Pradesh as part of India has further fueled discussions about AI biases, technological sovereignty, and geopolitical influence.
Deepseek AI mum over Arunachal Pradesh
DeepSeek AI was established in 2023 by 40-year-old Liang Wenfeng in Hangzhou, China. A graduate in information and electronic engineering, Liang previously founded a hedge fund that played a crucial role in financing DeepSeek’s operations. His strategic foresight in stockpiling Nvidia A100 chips before the US imposed an export ban significantly contributed to the rapid development of DeepSeek’s AI models.
A recent post by an Indian user on X (formerly Twitter) showcased a troubling exchange with the DeepSeek chatbot. When asked about Arunachal Pradesh’s status as an Indian state, DeepSeek responded:
“Sorry, that’s beyond my current scope. Let’s talk about something else.”
CCP machine exposed 🤣 https://t.co/DlmofSXQUP pic.twitter.com/TAggpM8L87
— ur rental friend☆ ragebait machine (@sxchidxnxnd) January 27, 2025
Similarly, when asked to list the northeastern states of India, the chatbot once again refused to answer. This has raised concerns over programming biases, censorship, and geopolitical influences in AI development. China has long claimed Arunachal Pradesh as part of southern Tibet, a claim India strongly rejects. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India has consistently reaffirmed that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of India. In March 2024, the MEA issued an official statement dismissing China’s territorial claims:
“Arunachal Pradesh was, is, and will always be an integral and inalienable part of India. Its people will continue to benefit from our development programs and infrastructure projects.”
The United States has also reinforced India’s territorial sovereignty. In 2023, the US State Department declared:
“The US strongly opposes any unilateral attempts to advance territorial claims in Arunachal Pradesh.”
This support from the US and other global players underscores the geopolitical sensitivity surrounding AI-generated responses on political issues.
Since its official launch, DeepSeek AI has witnessed explosive growth. The DeepSeek app has surged to the top of the US App Store charts, surpassing OpenAI’s ChatGPT as the most downloaded free app. The rapid ascent of DeepSeek AI has sent shockwaves through the global tech industry. Following its launch, shares of AI-related firms such as Nvidia, Microsoft, and Meta experienced declines, signaling investor concerns about China’s expanding AI influence.
DeepSeek’s R1 model has demonstrated superior performance across multiple AI benchmarks, surpassing OpenAI’s o1-mini model and even competing with AI systems from Google, Meta, and Anthropic. With its advanced deep learning algorithms and cost-efficient development process, DeepSeek has quickly positioned itself as a formidable contender in the AI industry.
US President Donald Trump responded to the rise of DeepSeek, stating:
“DeepSeek should be a wake-up call for our industries that we need to be laser-focused on competing to win.”
This statement highlights the growing tension between the US and China in the race for AI supremacy.
The Future of AI in Geopolitics
The DeepSeek controversy underscores a broader issue: AI neutrality and bias. While AI chatbots are designed to be informational tools, they are also shaped by the policies and regulatory frameworks of their respective countries. In DeepSeek’s case, Chinese government regulations may have influenced its refusal to acknowledge Arunachal Pradesh as an Indian state.
As AI continues to play a pivotal role in global discourse, questions regarding censorship, data control, and geopolitical influence will become increasingly prominent. AI-driven narratives have the potential to reshape public opinion and diplomatic relations, making it crucial for governments and tech companies to establish transparent AI governance policies.
DeepSeek AI’s meteoric rise signifies a new era in artificial intelligence, but its recent controversy sheds light on the complexities of AI governance, geopolitical biases, and ethical challenges. As DeepSeek continues to evolve, its impact on global AI competition and international relations will be closely watched.
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