Chinese State Media Amplifies DeepSeek AI Hype, Driving Down US Tech Stocks
Chinese state-linked social media accounts boosted narratives celebrating the launch of startup DeepSeek's AI models. This activity occurred before the news triggered a sell-off in US tech stocks.
Graphika, an online analysis firm, identified Chinese diplomats, embassies, and state media among the accounts amplifying the launch news. They promoted DeepSeek as a challenger to US dominance in AI.
The messaging was disseminated on platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Toutiao, and Weibo.
"China can mobilize various actors to promote narratives portraying Beijing as surpassing the US in AI," said Jack Stubbs, Graphika's Chief Intelligence Officer.
Graphika also discovered a pro-China, anti-Western video on a YouTube channel resembling Shadow Play, an influence campaign linked to Chinese state actors.
Following DeepSeek's model release on January 20, X platform saw a surge in discussions about its advancements relative to ChatGPT. This was followed by a larger upswing over the weekend.
By Monday, DeepSeek's AI assistant surpassed ChatGPT in Apple's app store downloads, leading to a $593 billion loss for Nvidia, the US chipmaker.
DeepSeek's researchers reportedly developed their AI models at a lower cost than US competitors, raising concerns over price wars.
Microsoft and Meta remain committed to AI investments despite the recent sell-off.
DeepSeek's rise is seen in China as a triumph against US tech industry containment attempts. In the US, it has sparked accusations of improper technology access from OpenAI and others.
The US Commerce Department is investigating DeepSeek's potential use of US chips restricted from export to China.