Chinese AI DeepSeek 'censors' sensitive questions on China when compared to rivals like ChatGP

DeepSeek's new chatbot seems to censor questions about sensitive topics in China compared to rival artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots, according to an analysis from the Associated Press.

The Chinese tech startup's AI assistant was the most downloaded free app on Apple's iPhone on Tuesday, with its launch sending the stocks of rival US companies tumbling.

The practice of DeepSeek's censoring of Chinese content is a common practice in the country.

In 2023, China issued regulations requiring companies to conduct a security review and obtain approvals before their products can be publicly launched.

The AP asked DeepSeek's chatbot and OpenAI's ChatGPT the same questions about US-China relations to compare answers.

DeepSeek's chatbot's answer echoed China's official statements, saying the relationship between the world's two largest economies is one of the most important bilateral relationships globally.

It said China is committed to developing ties with the US based on 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-US relations," it said.

Some of these phrases - "meet... halfway," "mutual respect" and "win-win cooperation" - mirror language used by a Chinese Foreign Ministry official in a 2021 news conference.

ChatGPT's answer was more nuanced. It said the state of the US-China relationship is complex, characterized by a mix of economic interdependence, geopolitical rivalry, and collaboration on global issues.

It highlighted key topics including the two countries' tensions over the South China Sea and Taiwan, their