OpenAI informed US policymakers of suspicions that Chinese AI company DeepSeek is using techniques to mimic existing US models.
This is evident from an internal memo seen by Reuters. According to the company behind ChatGPT, DeepSeek is systematically attempting to extract knowledge from leading American AI systems in order to improve its own models.
In the memo, which OpenAI sent to the U.S. House Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the U.S. and the Chinese Communist Party, OpenAI outlines attempts to circumvent technical and access restrictions. The company claims that accounts linked to DeepSeek employees have developed methods to access AI models via external, obfuscated network routes. In addition, scripts have reportedly been written to automatically collect output for use in so-called distillation.
Distillation is a method in which a more powerful, better-trained model is used to evaluate and refine the performance of a newer model. By analyzing responses from an advanced system, a less advanced model can learn faster and achieve better results without going through the entire training process itself.
OpenAI sees unfair competition
OpenAI, led by CEO Sam Altman, argues that such practices amount to freeloading on the investments and innovations of American AI labs. The company emphasizes that it takes action against users suspected of attempting to exploit its models to develop competing technology.
DeepSeek, based in Hangzhou, previously attracted international attention with models that, according to various experts, can compete with leading American alternatives. This led to concerns in the United States that China is rapidly gaining ground in the global AI race despite trade restrictions and export controls.
DeepSeek’s parent company, High-Flyer, has not yet publicly responded to the allegations. DeepSeek itself has also not provided any substantive explanation.
At the same time, there is appreciation in tech circles for the technical quality of some recent DeepSeek models. Silicon Valley executives and investors have previously spoken positively about their performance. However, according to OpenAI, it is essential that new models be developed and rolled out safely and responsibly. The company suggests that Chinese providers are less careful in this regard.
With the memo, OpenAI is trying to draw policymakers’ attention to what it sees as unfair competition and possible violations of terms of use. The issue underscores how geopolitical tensions are increasingly affecting the technological race around artificial intelligence.