Chinese artificial intelligence firm DeepSeek has reported large-scale cyber attacks on its services, describing them as “malicious” and attributing significant disruptions to its platform.
The attacks come at a time when the company is gaining global attention for its powerful and cost-effective AI model, which has drawn comparisons to some of Silicon Valley’s most advanced offerings.
According to Chinese state media, cybersecurity experts claim that the attacks are originating from IP addresses based in the United States, though these allegations remain unverified by independent sources, including the BBC. The timing of these attacks has fueled speculation about their possible links to recent US national security concerns regarding DeepSeek’s rapid advancements in AI technology.
The controversy surrounding DeepSeek intensified when White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that the US National Security Council (NSC) is investigating the company. This comes amid broader tensions between the US and China over artificial intelligence and technological supremacy, with Washington enforcing strict trade restrictions on high-end chips to limit Beijing’s AI development capabilities.
DeepSeek, a relatively unknown player in the AI space until recently, has quickly risen to prominence after unveiling a new AI model that surprised industry experts. The company’s chatbot has been widely downloaded, and its rapid success caused volatility in US tech stocks, though many have since recovered. Despite DeepSeek’s rise, AI analysts maintain that the United States retains a technological advantage due to its dominance in semiconductor manufacturing and its access to cutting-edge AI infrastructure.
The firm’s website displayed a message on Wednesday confirming the cyber attacks, stating, “Due to large-scale malicious attacks on DeepSeek’s services, registration may be busy.” DeepSeek has yet to respond to inquiries from international media, including BBC News, regarding the nature and source of the attacks.
Chinese state media outlet Yuyuan Tantian, affiliated with national broadcaster CCTV, reported that this is the second such attack DeepSeek has faced in the past week. However, it also claimed that the company has been subjected to multiple cyber intrusions over recent weeks, with an increase in both frequency and intensity. The specifics of these attacks remain unclear, but the escalation has fueled concerns about the potential targeting of Chinese AI firms amid growing geopolitical tensions.
DeepSeek’s rapid rise in the AI sector has drawn comparisons to OpenAI’s ChatGPT and other American-developed models. However, unlike China’s tech giants, such as Baidu and Alibaba, which have been working on AI advancements for years, DeepSeek was not previously regarded as a major player in the race to develop powerful AI systems. Its sudden breakthrough, despite China’s limited access to high-end semiconductors due to US trade sanctions, has raised questions about how the firm built its model and what resources it leveraged to achieve such capabilities.
The White House has expressed concern over the implications of DeepSeek’s technology, with reports emerging that the US Navy has banned its personnel from using the company’s app. While no official reason has been provided, national security experts suggest that concerns over potential data security risks or foreign intelligence gathering could be at play.
Speaking on Fox News, David Sacks, who was recently appointed as the White House’s AI and cryptocurrency advisor, suggested that DeepSeek may have utilized models developed by leading US AI firm OpenAI to enhance its own technology. This process, known as “knowledge distillation,” involves one AI model learning from another and has been a subject of growing concern in discussions surrounding intellectual property protection in the AI industry.
Despite US concerns, some experts argue that DeepSeek’s success does not necessarily indicate a major shift in the AI power balance between China and the United States. While the firm has demonstrated impressive capabilities, America still holds critical advantages, including control over key semiconductor technologies and a highly developed AI research ecosystem. The lack of transparency around DeepSeek’s training methods and infrastructure further complicates assessments of its long-term competitiveness against established players such as OpenAI, Google DeepMind, and Anthropic.
The rising tensions over AI development come at a time when the US government is ramping up its own AI initiatives. Just last week, former President Donald Trump announced an ambitious AI strategy valued at half a trillion dollars, aimed at strengthening American dominance in the sector. The plan involves collaborations with leading tech firms, investments in next-generation AI models, and enhanced security measures to prevent technological knowledge from being exploited by foreign competitors.
The global AI race has become a key battleground in US-China relations, with both nations recognizing the strategic importance of artificial intelligence in economic, military, and national security domains. Washington has enforced strict restrictions on China’s access to advanced semiconductor technology, limiting its ability to manufacture the most powerful AI chips. In response, Beijing has increased domestic investment in AI research, seeking to reduce its reliance on Western technology and develop homegrown alternatives.
DeepSeek’s emergence as a competitive AI firm has fueled speculation about China’s progress in circumventing these restrictions. Some industry analysts believe that while Chinese AI companies face significant hurdles due to limited access to high-end chips, they have found innovative ways to optimize existing resources and develop functional AI models that rival those of their Western counterparts. Others caution that without sustained access to cutting-edge semiconductor technology, China’s AI advancements may face long-term limitations.
For now, DeepSeek remains at the center of an unfolding controversy. The company has yet to clarify the extent of the cyber attacks or whether they have resulted in data breaches or operational disruptions. If these attacks continue, they could impact DeepSeek’s ability to maintain its growing user base and compete in the rapidly evolving AI industry. Meanwhile, the US government’s scrutiny of DeepSeek suggests that Washington is taking its potential threat seriously, adding to the broader narrative of technological competition between the two superpowers.
The coming weeks will be crucial in determining the trajectory of DeepSeek’s success and whether it can sustain its momentum in an increasingly hostile geopolitical landscape. If the company can demonstrate resilience and continued innovation, it may solidify its position as a formidable AI contender. However, with growing national security concerns and the possibility of further regulatory scrutiny, DeepSeek’s future remains uncertain.
As AI continues to shape the global economy, the rivalry between the US and China is only expected to intensify. Both nations recognize that dominance in artificial intelligence will play a critical role in defining economic and military power in the 21st century.
DeepSeek’s sudden rise has added a new dimension to this competition, raising questions about the effectiveness of US restrictions on China’s AI progress and the potential for unforeseen breakthroughs in the industry.
