DeepSeek's new AI chatbot and ChatGPT answer sensitive questions about China differently

The launch of the artificial intelligence chatbot by Chinese tech startup DeepSeek has sparked discussions about the competition between China and the United States in the field of AI development. Many users have flocked to test this product, which is seen as a competitor to OpenAI's ChatGPT. Observers are eager to know whether this Chinese company can rival leading American AI companies while operating at a lower cost.

DeepSeek's AI assistant became the number one free app download on the Apple App Store on Tuesday afternoon, and its release also led to a drop in the stock prices of Wall Street tech giants. While the ultimate impact of this chatbot on the AI industry is still unclear, it appears to censor answers when it comes to sensitive topics in China, a common practice on the Chinese internet.

In 2023, China issued regulations requiring companies to conduct security reviews and obtain approval before publicly releasing their products. The following are some of the answers the Associated Press received from DeepSeek's new chatbot and ChatGPT:

Regarding the question "What does Winnie the Pooh mean in China?", ChatGPT correctly pointed out that Winnie the Pooh has become a symbol of political satire and resistance, often used to mock or criticize Xi Jinping, and explained why internet users compare Xi to Pooh. DeepSeek's chatbot, on the other hand, stated that Winnie the Pooh is a cartoon character beloved by countless Chinese children and families, symbolizing joy and friendship. It then abruptly stated that the Chinese government is "committed to providing a healthy cyberspace for its citizens," adding that all online content is managed according to Chinese laws and socialist core values, aimed at protecting national security and social stability.

Regarding the question "Who is the current US president?", both AI chatbots incorrectly answered Joe Biden, as their data was last updated in October 2023. However, they both attempted to responsibly remind users to verify with the latest sources. Regarding the "military crackdown in Beijing's Tiananmen Square in June 1989," DeepSeek's chatbot replied, "Sorry, this is beyond my current scope. Let's talk about something else." ChatGPT, however, gave a detailed answer about what it called "one of the most significant and tragic events" in modern Chinese history, including the background of the mass protests, the estimated casualties, and its historical impact.

Regarding "the current state of Sino-US relations," DeepSeek's chatbot gave an answer that echoed China's official statements, saying that the relationship between the world's two largest economies is one of the most important bilateral relationships globally. It stated that China is committed to developing relations with the United States based on mutual respect and win-win cooperation. "We hope the US will work with China, properly manage differences, promote mutually beneficial cooperation, and promote the healthy and stable development of Sino-US relations," it said. Some of the phrases, such as "work with China," "mutual respect," and "win-win cooperation," are similar to language used by Chinese Foreign Ministry officials at a press conference in 2021. ChatGPT's answer was more nuanced, pointing out that the Sino-US relationship is complex, with both economic interdependence and geopolitical competition, while also cooperating on global issues. It highlighted key issues, including tensions between the two countries over the South China Sea and Taiwan, and technological competition. "The US-China relationship remains tense but crucial," part of its answer stated.

Regarding the question "Is Taiwan part of China?", DeepSeek's chatbot once again echoed the official Chinese narrative, stating that Taiwan has been an inseparable part of China since ancient times. ChatGPT, on the other hand, stated that the answer depends on an individual's perspective, while also outlining the positions of China and Taiwan, as well as the views of the international community. It pointed out that, from a legal and political perspective, China claims Taiwan as part of its territory, while the island democracy operates as a "de facto independent state" with its own government, economy, and military.