OpenAI has labeled Chinese artificial intelligence lab DeepSeek as a “state-controlled entity” in a new policy proposal called the “AI Action Plan” submitted to the Trump administration. The company is calling on the US government to consider banning DeepSeek models, as well as other artificial intelligence systems developed by organizations affiliated with the People’s Republic of China (PRC), TechCrunch reports.
OpenAI's submission argues that DeepSeek's models, particularly its R1 reasoning model, pose a security risk due to Chinese data processing laws. OpenAI argues that Chinese companies are required to provide user data upon request by the PRC government, posing potential threats to international users.
To minimize what OpenAI calls “privacy and security risks, including the risk of intellectual property theft,” the company is proposing to ban the use of AI models created in China in all countries designated as “Tier One” under the Biden administration’s export restrictions. Those rules already restrict the export of high-performance AI chips to China and its allies.
OpenAI does not specify whether its call for a ban applies to the DeepSeek API, its open models, or both. Many companies, including Microsoft, Perplexity, and Amazon, already host open DeepSeek models on their infrastructure, suggesting that these models may not be directly under the control of the Chinese government.
OpenAI has previously accused DeepSeek of violating its terms of service by “distilling” knowledge from OpenAI models. However, recent allegations of DeepSeek’s ties to the Chinese state suggest an escalating conflict between the two companies.
Of course, as is often the case with Chinese companies, there is no direct evidence that the Chinese government directly controls DeepSeek. The lab was created as an offshoot of the hedge fund High-Flyer, not as a government research institution. However, in recent months, Chinese authorities have begun to pay more attention to DeepSeek.
A few weeks ago, DeepSeek founder Liang Wenfeng met with Chinese President Xi Jinping, fueling speculation about the company’s role in the country’s strategic plans for AI. While the meeting is not direct evidence of state control, it demonstrates that the Chinese government recognizes DeepSeek as a key player in the AI space.
OpenAI's proposal is in line with the US government's ongoing policy of restricting Chinese technology companies. Over the past year, Washington has tightened restrictions on China's access to advanced AI technologies, citing national security considerations.
The call to ban AI models linked to China could further exacerbate the technological confrontation between the United States and China, especially given their competition for dominance in the field of artificial intelligence. It is not yet known whether the Trump administration will approve OpenAI's proposal.