OpenAI says it has proof DeepSeek used its technology to develop a competing AI model
OpenAI, known for ChatGPT, has revealed evidence suggesting that the Chinese startup DeepSeek utilized its technology to create a rival artificial intelligence model. This development has raised concerns about intellectual property infringement within the rapidly expanding industry.
Allegations Against DeepSeek
According to OpenAI, DeepSeek, founded by math prodigy Liang Wenfeng, employed a technique called "distillation" to enhance the performance of smaller AI models by learning from larger ones. While distillation is a common practice in AI advancement, OpenAI suspects that DeepSeek may have breached its regulations by utilizing this method to develop its own AI system.
OpenAI states that their terms of service explicitly prohibit users from replicating their technology or leveraging their output to construct competing AI models.
Investigation and Allegations
Microsoft, a significant investor in OpenAI, discovered potential connections between individuals linked to DeepSeek and the unauthorized extraction of substantial data through OpenAI's API. This incident, which may have violated terms of service, is currently under investigation by both companies.
National Security Concerns
DeepSeek's operations have triggered concerns regarding national security, particularly due to its data storage practices and potential connections to the Chinese government. The US Navy has prohibited its personnel from utilizing DeepSeek over apprehensions of data exploitation.
Challenges Faced by OpenAI
Despite the challenges posed by intellectual property theft and unauthorized data extraction, OpenAI remains committed to safeguarding its technological advancements. The company collaborates closely with the US government to prevent the misuse of advanced AI technology by adversaries.
DeepSeek's AI model, R1, has demonstrated comparable performance to leading US-developed models, despite being developed on a smaller budget. The emergence of DeepSeek has also had significant impacts on the market, as evidenced by the fluctuations in Nvidia's stock price.
