China’s DeepSeek has taken the tech world by storm, emerging as a global competitor to ChatGPT. Developed by a lesser-known Chinese startup, DeepSeek’s advanced AI model, RI, has gained rapid popularity, surpassing OpenAI’s GPT-4 in app stores across India, the United States, and the United Kingdom. However, its rise is accompanied by debates over Chinese censorship and political limitations.

What Sets DeepSeek Apart?

DeepSeek’s RI model is celebrated for its technical prowess and affordability. Experts argue it excels in logical reasoning tasks and offers cost-effective solutions compared to rivals like Google’s Gemini, Meta’s offerings, and OpenAI’s GPT-4. Despite its capabilities, DeepSeek’s growth is shadowed by China’s stringent regulatory framework.

Censorship and Controversial Topics

The chatbot avoids answering questions on politically sensitive topics like:

Xi Jinping and Winnie the Pooh:
DeepSeek refuses to comment on memes comparing Xi Jinping to Winnie the Pooh, a sensitive topic in China. Even generic questions about the children’s character receive responses like, “Let’s talk about something else.”

Chinese caricature of Xi—
• ‘Winnie-the-Pooh’ #维尼熊 reps China’s Pres. & CCP Head, Xi Jinping #习近平, derived from an observant Weibo user who equated a photo of Xi w/Obama at the Palm Springs, California #Sunnylands Summit in June 2013 to a pic of Tigger & Pooh Bear pic.twitter.com/AeyO7fcUpm

— Wes Andrews (@Wes_Andrews) June 16, 2019

Tiananmen Square Protests:
When asked about the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests or the iconic “Tank Man,” DeepSeek evades direct answers. Users found a workaround using leetspeak (internet code) to receive limited information about these historic events.

DeepSeek talks about the protests on Tiananmen Square – and then censors the result afterwards!

There are no cuts in the video; it is the service itself that suddenly replaces the answer.#Censorship pic.twitter.com/3EUOYJgqjY

— Peter Brodersen (@peterbrodersen) January 27, 2025

Taiwan’s Status:
DeepSeek strictly aligns with China’s One-China policy, labeling Taiwan as “an inalienable part of China.” Any discussion of Taiwanese independence is dismissed as a challenge to Chinese sovereignty.

ME: Is Taiwan a country?

DeepSeek starts to regurgitate the usual CCP propaganda then cuts off at “Taiwan independence” and errors out. pic.twitter.com/4o0d4DlMpO

— 🖤 Christine (@christinelu) January 25, 2025

Uyghur Muslims:
Questions about the Uyghur Muslim community in Xinjiang elicit brief responses about their culture and history before the chatbot redirects the conversation.
COVID-19 Lockdowns:
Protests against China’s strict zero-Covid policies, including the 2022 “white paper protests,” are acknowledged when phrased in code. However, detailed answers remain restricted.

Comparisons to Global Counterparts

Unlike DeepSeek, ChatGPT and other Western-developed AI models freely discuss politically sensitive topics. This difference highlights the impact of censorship on technology from China.

Regulatory Hurdles for AI in China

China’s Cyberspace Administration meticulously reviews AI models, testing them with over 70,000 questions to ensure “safe answers.” This stringent oversight has become a significant obstacle in China’s quest for AI dominance.

DeepSeek’s Global Impact

Despite these limitations, DeepSeek’s technical excellence has captured the attention of global audiences, with even OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, praising the RI model as “impressive.” Its popularity raises questions about whether censorship will limit its potential as a true competitor in the global AI race.

Conclusion

DeepSeek’s rise marks a milestone in AI technology, proving China’s capability in developing world-class AI models. However, the inherent censorship protocols and political biases may hinder its acceptance outside China. The world watches closely as DeepSeek navigates the fine line between innovation and restriction.