OpenAI and Microsoft investigate DeepSeek model theft allegations; Italy blocks app
Microsoft and OpenAI reportedly are investigating whether DeepSeek, a Chinese AI startup, extracted data from OpenAI's API without authorization to develop its technology using knowledge distillation. Italy has blocked DeepSeek's app over data privacy concerns, and White House AI official David Sacks stated there is substantial evidence of the alleged misuse.
What happened
Microsoft and OpenAI are investigating whether DeepSeek, a Chinese AI startup, extracted data from OpenAI's API without authorization to develop its technology. According to people familiar with the matter, DeepSeek allegedly obtained a large amount of data using OpenAI's API interface, which would have violated the service terms.
David Sacks, the White House AI and crypto czar, stated there is 'substantial evidence' that DeepSeek used knowledge distillation from OpenAI's models to develop its own technology. OpenAI stated that Chinese companies and others are 'constantly trying to distill the models from leading U.S. AI companies.'
Italy blocked DeepSeek's app over data privacy concerns.
Reported impact
DeepSeek's emergence as a low-cost AI application has reportedly undermined the status of OpenAI and other U.S. companies as world leaders in AI, as it can reportedly emulate ChatGPT's performance at a fraction of the cost.
Index analysis
Knowledge distillation involves transferring knowledge from a large, complex model to a smaller, more economical model that requires fewer resources and can run on less powerful equipment.
Governance controls
OpenAI stated that as it advances, it is vital to work closely with the U.S. government to better protect its most capable models.
Classification
Sources and evidence
Sources not yet published
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