Microsoft probes if DeepSeek-linked group improperly obtained OpenAI

Author: The Business Standard | Full Article: Read Here | Published: January 29, 2025

Microsoft and OpenAI are currently investigating whether a Chinese AI startup called DeepSeek has improperly accessed data from OpenAI’s technology. Reports indicate that Microsoft’s security team noticed suspicious activities in the fall, where individuals believed to be associated with DeepSeek were allegedly extracting a significant amount of data through OpenAI’s application programming interface (API). This API is crucial for developers and businesses that utilize OpenAI’s services.

The situation escalated when DeepSeek’s free AI assistant surpassed OpenAI’s ChatGPT in popularity on the Apple App Store, leading to a decline in tech stocks. David Sacks, a key figure in the White House’s AI initiatives, suggested that DeepSeek might have stolen valuable intellectual property from the U.S. He emphasized that there is considerable evidence indicating that DeepSeek may have derived knowledge from OpenAI’s models.

In response to these allegations, an OpenAI spokesperson acknowledged the ongoing efforts by various companies, including those based in China, to replicate the technology of leading U.S. AI firms. OpenAI is committed to protecting its intellectual property and is working closely with the U.S. government to safeguard its advanced models from potential threats posed by competitors.

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