Pentagon employees use DeepSeek till this day

(MENAFN) Pentagon employees have been using an early version of the Chinese AI model DeepSeek since fall 2024, despite security concerns. The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) began restricting access to the model after it gained widespread attention, with some staff having downloaded it onto their workstations. The model, developed by a Chinese startup, is open-source, allowing free download and usage, which raised alarms after it outperformed leading US models in some tests.

Despite the restrictions, many Pentagon staff continue to access DeepSeek via a platform called Ask Sage, which hosts various models on US-based servers. The growing use of DeepSeek has prompted the US military to investigate its spread, and some branches, like the Navy, have outright banned its use. Privacy issues are a concern, given the model's Chinese roots and its data storage policies. The rise of DeepSeek has led to increased attention on AI security, with US officials, including OpenAI’s Sam Altman, acknowledging the model’s impressive capabilities.

US President Donald Trump has emphasized the importance of AI development, announcing the launch of the “Stargate” initiative to secure the country’s leadership in the AI space.

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