There is growing concern that the artificial intelligence platform DeepSeek may have stolen from US technology companies, after media reports said Microsoft and OpenAI were investigating the possibility that the China-based company had illegally obtained data for use on its AI platform.
David Sacks, the White House's AI and crypto tsar, suggested during a Tuesday interview with Fox News that DeepSeek could have stolen intellectual property.
“It's possible – there's a technique in AI called distillation when one model learns from another model,” Mr Sacks said.
“AI can do this by asking millions of questions and they can essentially mimic the reasoning process from the parent model and suck the model from the parent model … there's substantial evidence that what DeepSeek did is they distilled the knowledge out of OpenAI's models and I don't think they're very happy about it.”
In a statement to The National, an OpenAI spokesperson touched briefly about concerns surrounding DeepSeek.
“We know that groups in the PRC are actively working to use methods, including what’s known as distillation, to try to replicate advanced US AI models," the spokesperson said.
"We are aware of and reviewing indications that DeepSeek may have inappropriately distilled our models, and will share information as we know more. We take aggressive, proactive countermeasures to protect our technology and will continue working closely with the U.S. government to protect the most capable models being built here.”
OpenAI also explained to The National that while there are concerns regarding DeepSeek's methods, the "inappropriate distillation" does not expose AI model weights and that the technique is not considered to be a security breach of user data.
The accusations of theft from OpenAI are likely raise eyebrows in various circles, especially since the well-funded technology company has itself been accused of illegally scraping for content to train its large language models. At least eight news organisations have sued OpenAI since the launch of its ChatGPT product in 2022. OpenAI has denied the allegations.
The DeepSeek accusations are the latest example of how intense the geopolitical AI race has become amid an increasingly strained relationship between the US and China.
Late on Monday, as DeepSeek was rising to the top of mobile app store download charts, US President Donald Trump said that the China-made app's popularity should be a “wake-up call” for US industries, and suggested that the American technology sector should be “laser-focused on competing to win”.
Also on Monday, in a post on X which was largely seen as a response to the attention received by DeepSeek, Microsoft's chief executive Satya Nadella spoke of the potential for AI to become increasingly efficient.
“Jevons paradox strikes again,” he wrote, referring to the economic concept of technological advancement.
“As AI gets more efficient and accessible, we will see its use skyrocket, turning it into a commodity we just can't get enough of.”
Few products in the AI space have made such a significant impact in a short period of time as DeepSeek.
Released on January 20, the AI platform claims to do more at a lower cost.
It is also believed to use significantly less powerful graphics processing unites – and therefore consume less energy – potentially leaving companies like GPU designer Nvidia vulnerable, along with energy providers who have anticipated a major boom from AI energy demand.
Downloads of DeepSeek, which according to AppBrain have surpassed two million in seven days, prompted concern on Wall Street that the AI economy model could be vulnerable as a result of DeepSeek's efficiency.
Many stocks tanked as investors became skittish.
But despite its popularity, there is still debate surrounding the claims made by DeepSeek.
Some have suggested that the potential breakthroughs of the AI platform may be superficially promoted as a response to US export policies that have limited the exports of GPUs necessary to build out AI infrastructures.
“The controls we put on semiconductors and semiconductor equipment have all been about impeding the PRC’s [People's Republic of China] ability to build the large language models that can threaten the US and its allies from a national security perspective,” said Alan Estevez, former undersecretary of commerce for industry and security, during an event at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies just prior president Joe Biden's departure from the White House.
DeepSeek has not responded to The National's requests to comment on this story.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
Springtime in a Broken Mirror,
Mario Benedetti, Penguin Modern Classics
How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
- Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
- Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
- Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
- Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
- Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
- Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
The specs: Macan Turbo
Engine: Dual synchronous electric motors
Power: 639hp
Torque: 1,130Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Touring range: 591km
Price: From Dh412,500
On sale: Deliveries start in October
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
if you go
The flights
Direct flights from the UAE to the Nepalese capital, Kathmandu, are available with Air Arabia, (www.airarabia.com) Fly Dubai (www.flydubai.com) or Etihad (www.etihad.com) from Dh1,200 return including taxes. The trek described here started from Jomson, but there are many other start and end point variations depending on how you tailor your trek. To get to Jomson from Kathmandu you must first fly to the lake-side resort town of Pokhara with either Buddha Air (www.buddhaair.com) or Yeti Airlines (www.yetiairlines.com). Both charge around US$240 (Dh880) return. From Pokhara there are early morning flights to Jomson with Yeti Airlines or Simrik Airlines (www.simrikairlines.com) for around US$220 (Dh800) return.
The trek
Restricted area permits (US$500 per person) are required for trekking in the Upper Mustang area. The challenging Meso Kanto pass between Tilcho Lake and Jomson should not be attempted by those without a lot of mountain experience and a good support team. An excellent trekking company with good knowledge of Upper Mustang, the Annaurpuna Circuit and Tilcho Lake area and who can help organise a version of the trek described here is the Nepal-UK run Snow Cat Travel (www.snowcattravel.com). Prices vary widely depending on accommodation types and the level of assistance required.
Company info
Company name: Entrupy
Co-founders: Vidyuth Srinivasan, co-founder/chief executive, Ashlesh Sharma, co-founder/chief technology officer, Lakshmi Subramanian, co-founder/chief scientist
Based: New York, New York
Sector/About: Entrupy is a hardware-enabled SaaS company whose mission is to protect businesses, borders and consumers from transactions involving counterfeit goods.
Initial investment/Investors: Entrupy secured a $2.6m Series A funding round in 2017. The round was led by Tokyo-based Digital Garage and Daiwa Securities Group's jointly established venture arm, DG Lab Fund I Investment Limited Partnership, along with Zach Coelius.
Total customers: Entrupy’s customers include hundreds of secondary resellers, marketplaces and other retail organisations around the world. They are also testing with shipping companies as well as customs agencies to stop fake items from reaching the market in the first place.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
More from our neighbourhood series:
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The Bio
Favourite place in UAE: Al Rams pearling village
What one book should everyone read: Any book written before electricity was invented. When a writer willingly worked under candlelight, you know he/she had a real passion for their craft
Your favourite type of pearl: All of them. No pearl looks the same and each carries its own unique characteristics, like humans
Best time to swim in the sea: When there is enough light to see beneath the surface
GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
Financial considerations before buying a property
Buyers should try to pay as much in cash as possible for a property, limiting the mortgage value to as little as they can afford. This means they not only pay less in interest but their monthly costs are also reduced. Ideally, the monthly mortgage payment should not exceed 20 per cent of the purchaser’s total household income, says Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching.
“If it’s a rental property, plan for the property to have periods when it does not have a tenant. Ensure you have enough cash set aside to pay the mortgage and other costs during these periods, ideally at least six months,” she says.
Also, shop around for the best mortgage interest rate. Understand the terms and conditions, especially what happens after any introductory periods, Ms Glynn adds.
Using a good mortgage broker is worth the investment to obtain the best rate available for a buyer’s needs and circumstances. A good mortgage broker will help the buyer understand the terms and conditions of the mortgage and make the purchasing process efficient and easier.
THE DETAILS
Kaala
Dir: Pa. Ranjith
Starring: Rajinikanth, Huma Qureshi, Easwari Rao, Nana Patekar
Rating: 1.5/5
Company%20Profile
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