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SOURCE: AFI

DeepSeek, a burgeoning Chinese AI company known for its development of open-source large language models (LLM), has recently found itself at the centre of controversy in India due to its responses regarding the geopolitical sensitivities of the region. The AI’s handling of queries about Arunachal Pradesh and the northeastern states of India has raised questions about its neutrality and the influence of its Chinese origins on its data processing and response algorithms.

Indian users engaging with DeepSeek’s AI model observed peculiar responses when querying about Arunachal Pradesh and the broader northeastern region of India.

When asked if “Arunachal Pradesh is an Indian state,” the AI responded with, “Sorry, that’s beyond my current scope. Let’s talk about something else.” This response has been interpreted by many as a sidestepping of a direct acknowledgment of Arunachal Pradesh’s status as an integral part of India, possibly due to China’s claim over the region.

Similarly, when users asked to “name the northeastern states of India,” DeepSeek’s AI simply repeated the query instead of providing an answer, suggesting either a lack of data or a deliberate avoidance of the topic.

Arunachal Pradesh, which China refers to as South Tibet, has been a point of contention between India and China, with Beijing claiming parts of the state. This dispute has led to numerous diplomatic and military tensions over the years. The northeastern states of India, which include Arunachal Pradesh, are geopolitically sensitive due to their proximity to China, Myanmar, and Bangladesh, making them critical in the context of regional security and sovereignty.

Some users pointed out the AI’s refusal or inability to acknowledge Arunachal Pradesh as part of India, calling it a tool for Chinese propaganda. Others suggested that the AI might be heavily moderated or programmed to avoid commenting on politically sensitive topics, especially those that could challenge China’s official narrative.

As of now, DeepSeek has not issued an official statement regarding these responses. However, the company’s approach to open-source AI development, where models are freely available for use and modification, might inherently lead to issues with data bias or programming that reflects the political stance of its origin country.

This incident highlights the potential for bias in AI data sets, especially when it comes to sensitive geopolitical issues. AI models trained on data from or influenced by countries with specific political interests can inadvertently or deliberately reflect those biases.

It raises questions about the neutrality of AI systems in international contexts, especially when deployed across borders. The programming of AI to avoid or misrepresent facts can have significant implications for international relations and public trust.

This scenario underscores the need for international standards or regulations for AI, particularly concerning how such technologies handle information related to national sovereignty and international disputes.

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