What if we tackled other themes? : the Chinese chatbot DeepSeek sorts through delicate subjects
In an increasingly interconnected world, information and communication technologies are shaping our understanding and perceptions of global events. At the heart of this transformation, chatbots like the recently emerged DeepSeek bring with them new challenges. This article examines the ramifications of using these systems through the lens of significant events in Hong Kong, issues related to Taiwan, and the content filtering policies that have become necessary in the digital age. With the rise of AI in communications, it is crucial to discuss the ethical and societal implications generated by these innovative technologies. DeepSeek: A Chatbot Serving Political StorytellingDeepSeek, the recent Chinese chatbot, quickly leveraged its technological innovation to establish itself in the market. When it launched in January 2025, it became the most downloaded app in app stores, surpassing even household names in the United States. This rise in power raises questions about how this type of AI impacts communication on sensitive topics.
DeepSeek’s strategy is based on a fundamental principle: respecting the political framework imposed by Beijing. In tests conducted by various media outlets, it emerged that the chatbot avoids approaching historical events, such as the 2019 Hong Kong protests, from a critical perspective. Instead, it recreates the official version of political determinants, leaving out significant elements that could nuance the discussion.
The Hong Kong Protests: A Scripted Response
In 2019, Hong Kong experienced a series of massive protests, sparked by concerns about an extradition law that would have allowed citizens to be extradited to mainland China.
DeepSeek, when asked about these events, responded by stating that the government had taken the necessary steps to restore order, avoiding reflecting the concerns expressed by the protesters.
The protesters’ main demands included: An independent investigation into police abuses.Amnesty for those arrested.
A classification of the protests not associated with riots.
- Censorship and filtering of online content make it difficult to achieve a factual and balanced understanding of these events. Due to the discord between popular perception and the official response presented by DeepSeek, a divide is growing among users regarding access to objective information.
- A difference in approach compared to Western chatbots.
- When the same question is posed to ChatGPT, its response clearly stands out for its wealth of information. Unlike DeepSeek’s guidelines, ChatGPT provides an overview of the evolution of the protests, including the underlying sociopolitical reasons and a critical analysis of the consequences of the extradition law. This contrast highlights how each AI is programmed to address sensitive topics.
Feature DeepSeekChatGPT
Approach
Compliant with Beijing’s policies Critical and historical analysisAnswers questions Filtering and censoring informationWide range of detailed responses
| Sensitive topics | Avoids controversies | Addresses sensitive topics directly |
|---|---|---|
| This fundamental difference in communication underscores the importance of adopting an ethical and balanced approach in the field of artificial intelligence, where bias can influence how users perceive events. | Taiwan: a geopolitical issue addressed by DeepSeek | Regarding Taiwan, DeepSeek |
| also takes a clear position aligned with Beijing. The AI’s responses assert a historical connection between mainland China and the island, thus avoiding addressing democratic and self-determination issues often presented by other sources. | In exchanges with the AI, it firmly maintains that Taiwan is an autonomous province that must be reintegrated into the motherland, without admitting Western recognition of its status as a country. This view reflects much of the current tension observed around the Taiwan issue, which is at the center of the geopolitical rivalry between the United States and China. | DeepSeek’s responses demonstrate how information filtering influences public perception and access to a diverse discourse on the subject. |
| Taiwan Recognition Debate | Key elements in the debate around Taiwan include: | Diplomatic recognition by other nations. |
Concerns related to autonomy and human rights.
The military implications of a possible reunification. This dynamic demonstrates how conversational technologies can reflect specific political ideologies, reinforcing narratives that are often one-sided.
OpenAI’s role in the international context ChatGPT , for its part, addresses the topic with complexity, bringing together the perspectives of both Taiwan as an independent entity and those of China asserting its territorial integrity. This contrast with
DeepSeek underscores the importance of a space for the exchange of ideas free from political influence. Content Filtering and AI Ethics: Contemporary Issues
AI technologies, such as
DeepSeek
- and
- ChatGPT
- , pose a considerable challenge in terms of ethics and data security. Concerns related to misinformation, content control, and the lack of diverse voices are issues that cannot be ignored in our current digital society.
The censorship mechanisms in place for platforms like DeepSeek can create biases that limit access to essential information. This raises questions about the responsibility of AI developers in the design and provision of information.
The Consequences of Content Filtering
Content filtering can lead to several harmful effects:A distorted overview of world events. The emergence of bedroom echoes reinforcing specific ideologies. Reduced freedom of expression.
In a world where every voice counts, it is essential to educate users about the implications of these technologies. Awareness of these challenges is crucial for navigating a complex media landscape. Responsibility and Innovation in the Digital Society
Innovation in the field of chatbots must go hand in hand with strong ethics. Companies must strive to create technologies that promote open and responsible communication. The digital society should aspire to systems that encourage diverse and enriching interaction. With the rise of DeepSeek and other similar applications, we see the importance of formulating strategies that will ensure the protection of freedom of expression while offering effective technological solutions. The challenge is to balance innovation and responsibility, so that communication technologies do not become instruments of control, but rather of dialogue and constructive exchange. Reflection on these questions remains essential to ensure that the use of new technologies truly contributes to a fairer and more informed world.