The White House is evaluating the national security implications of China’s DeepSeek AI advancements, which have disrupted Silicon Valley and Wall Street this week. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed during her first briefing that the National Security Council (NSC) is assessing the situation, labelling it a “wake-up call” for the U.S. AI industry.
DeepSeek’s low-cost, advanced AI models have challenged the U.S.’s perceived lead in the AI race and raised concerns over potential risks. The Chinese app has surpassed ChatGPT in daily downloads, while fears of reduced demand for high-performance AI chips caused Nvidia’s stock to plummet.
Leavitt criticized the Biden administration for “allowing China to develop this AI program,” while touting Trump’s proactive measures such as appointing an AI czar and loosening industry regulations.
However, critics argue that Biden’s chip restrictions aimed at curbing China’s access to advanced technology may have inadvertently accelerated DeepSeek’s innovation, with the Chinese firm claiming it achieved breakthroughs using fewer resources.
While the economic effects on U.S. tech giants are evident, the security risks remain unclear, especially given reports of DeepSeek chatbots’ unwillingness to discuss sensitive Chinese topics like Tiananmen Square or human rights abuses.
Leavitt emphasized that the NSC’s findings will guide future decisions to “restore American dominance” in AI.
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