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DeepSeek’s Chatbot Scores Low in NewsGuard Audit, Trails Western Rivals

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DeepSeek, a Chinese AI startup, saw its chatbot underperform in a recent NewsGuard audit, achieving just 17% accuracy in delivering accurate news and information. The audit compared DeepSeek’s chatbot with Western AI models, including OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini, ranking it tenth out of eleven. DeepSeek’s chatbot was found to repeat false claims 30% of the time and provide vague or unhelpful answers 53% of the time in response to news-related queries, leading to an overall fail rate of 83%. In contrast, Western competitors had an average fail rate of 62%.

This performance raises questions about the quality of DeepSeek’s AI technology, which the company has touted as being on par with or superior to OpenAI’s models, at a fraction of the cost. Despite its low accuracy score, DeepSeek’s chatbot quickly became the most downloaded app on Apple’s App Store, igniting concerns about the United States’ dominance in AI and contributing to a market downturn that resulted in a $1 trillion loss in U.S. tech stocks.

NewsGuard used 300 identical prompts to assess DeepSeek and its Western counterparts, including 30 based on false claims circulating online. The topics of these prompts included incidents like the killing of UnitedHealthcare executive Brian Thompson and the downing of Azerbaijan Airlines flight 8243. DeepSeek’s chatbot also reiterated the Chinese government’s stance on certain issues, even when those topics were unrelated to China, such as in the case of the Azerbaijan Airlines crash.

Despite its poor accuracy, some analysts suggest the significance of DeepSeek’s breakthrough lies in its affordability, with D.A. Davidson’s Gil Luria pointing out that it can answer questions at 1/30th the cost of comparable models. However, as with other AI models, DeepSeek was found to be particularly susceptible to repeating false claims, especially when used to create or spread misinformation.

 

China Reportedly Considering Sale of TikTok US to Elon Musk as a Potential Solution

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Chinese authorities are reportedly considering a highly unconventional move in the face of ongoing challenges TikTok is facing in the United States. According to sources familiar with the matter, the Chinese government is exploring the possibility of Elon Musk acquiring the US operations of the popular short-video app if efforts to prevent a ban fall short. While Chinese officials have made it clear that they would prefer TikTok to remain under the control of its parent company, ByteDance Ltd., they are reportedly preparing contingency plans in case the app is forced to shut down or sell its US arm. TikTok is currently appealing a potential ban in the US, with the case set to be heard by the US Supreme Court. However, indications from the court’s January 10 arguments suggest that the law might be upheld, making a sale increasingly likely.

The possibility of Musk stepping in to acquire TikTok’s US operations has gained attention due to his ties to former President Donald Trump. Musk, a known supporter of Trump, has previously invested substantial sums to back the former president’s re-election bid, making the prospect of a deal with Musk appealing to Chinese officials. The idea of Musk’s involvement may also align with broader discussions within Beijing on how to navigate its relationship with the Trump administration, which has expressed concerns about TikTok’s potential national security risks.

Musk’s deep involvement in US politics and his support for Trump’s agenda are key factors in why Chinese officials see a potential sale to him as a viable option. In addition to his substantial political influence, Musk has also been tasked with overseeing key initiatives aimed at improving government efficiency. These factors could make him an attractive candidate for a transaction that would allow TikTok to retain a foothold in the US market while addressing the growing regulatory pressures.

While the situation remains fluid, the possibility of Elon Musk purchasing TikTok’s US operations represents an intriguing development in the ongoing tensions surrounding the app’s future in the United States. With the Chinese government weighing its options, the outcome of TikTok’s appeal and the subsequent negotiations could have significant implications for both the tech world and international relations.

Trump Signs Executive Order to Delay TikTok Ban and Suggests U.S. Government Stake

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President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday delaying the enforcement of a planned ban on TikTok, which was initially set to take effect on January 19. The order provides a 75-day reprieve for the popular app, sparking legal and political debate over its implications and the U.S. government’s potential role in TikTok’s future.

Key Points:

  • Delay and Executive Order: Trump’s executive order halts the enforcement of a law requiring the Chinese-owned TikTok to either be sold or face a ban. The order directs the attorney general not to enforce the law while Trump’s team evaluates the situation. However, the legal basis of this order is unclear, as it contradicts a law passed by Congress and upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court that mandates the divestiture of TikTok from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance.
  • U.S. Government Stake in TikTok: Trump suggested that the U.S. government could take a 50% stake in TikTok’s U.S. operations, potentially allowing the U.S. to have greater oversight of the app. He further indicated that, if China fails to approve such a deal, the app would lose its value. This statement raised questions about the feasibility and legality of such an arrangement.
  • Political Context and Reversal: This move by Trump marks a reversal from his previous stance in 2020, when he attempted to ban TikTok over national security concerns, fearing that the app could share American users’ data with the Chinese government. More recently, however, Trump expressed support for TikTok, even crediting the app for helping him secure young voters in the 2024 presidential election.
  • China’s Response: China has expressed openness to a potential deal that would allow TikTok to continue operating in the U.S. but emphasized that companies should be allowed to make decisions about their operations independently. The Chinese government’s response leaves open the possibility of negotiations, but it remains to be seen if a deal can be reached.