China's DeepSeek, an artificial intelligence chatbot, is heightening an already fierce technological rivalry with the U. S. “This launch of DeepSeek AI by a Chinese firm should serve as a wake-up call for our industries, urging us to remain intensely focused on competing effectively because we possess the world's finest scientists, ” President Donald Trump remarked this week. DeepSeek has introduced an AI assistant that competes with the U. S. -based ChatGPT, reportedly offering advantages in both cost and efficiency. “It’s certainly a sort of arms race, ” remarked Dahbura on Friday. Dahbura, co-director at the Johns Hopkins Institute for Assured Autonomy, noted the presence of substantial advancements in AI across Europe, Japan, and other regions, but highlighted the adversarial dynamic between the U. S. and China in AI development. This competition carries significant ramifications for our economy and national security, given AI's transformative potential. “The rapid advancements in AI are driving progress in both hardware and software with clear economic consequences, ” Dahbura explained. There are also security ramifications, as either nation could leverage AI to enhance cyberattacks or strengthen the defenses of their information systems. With so much on the line, some experts suggest the U. S. may need to consider AI collaboration with China. Karson Elmgren, a technology and security policy fellow at RAND, pointed out that the U. S. engaged in technological cooperation with the Soviet Union during the Cold War to maintain control of nuclear weapons. “The U. S. might find it beneficial to ensure the safety of its competitors as a means to bolster its own security, ” Elmgren stated. However, he cautioned that it’s critical for the U. S. to enhance the safety of Chinese AI without inadvertently helping it advance its AI capabilities.

Therefore, avoiding technical cooperation while concentrating on risk management or incident reporting may be wiser. Another RAND analyst, associate information scientist Lennart Heim, acknowledged that DeepSeek's performance and efficiency should be recognized. However, he cautioned against assuming that U. S. export restrictions on AI chips are ineffective, emphasizing that these controls provide valuable time. He insisted that they should be supported by policies that maintain democratic leadership and resilience against adversaries. Dahbura expressed openness to innovative ideas for mutual cooperation but noted the challenges inherent in U. S. -China collaboration on AI. "Both parties need to adhere to the same rules, and it remains uncertain whether the necessary level of trust exists, ” he remarked. Moreover, Dahbura indicated that China stands to gain more from any cooperation. He emphasized, “The most effective strategy for the U. S. is to remain focused on our objectives, consistently investing in AI research and development. Historically, when we confront a challenge, we excel. ” Dahbura described DeepSeek's emergence as merely the “tip of the iceberg, ” anticipating additional players to enter the AI landscape as the technology progresses, along with natural advancements in cost and efficiency. Are American companies at risk from DeepSeek? “My colleagues and I do not perceive that to be the case, ” Dahbura concluded.