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Russian TV Airs Fake Report on DeepSeek’s ‘Soviet Code

A fabricated Russian news story claiming that China’s DeepSeek AI app is based on secret Soviet code has made its way onto state TV, illustrating a wave of nostalgia in Russia for a bygone era of technological might. The hoax originated from Panorama, a satirical fake news outlet that openly publishes fictional content. The fake report featured an interview with DeepSeek’s founder, Liang Wenfeng, who was quoted as praising Soviet-era programmers and their alleged role in developing the code for the AI startup.

According to the spoof, the DeepSeek code was allegedly created in 1985 by a team led by Viktor Glushkov, a renowned Soviet scientist credited with developing the first personal computer in the Soviet Union in the 1960s. Glushkov was also behind the creation of a data-processing network designed to manage the Soviet planned economy, which some argue contained early features of artificial intelligence.

Despite its fictional nature, the story gained traction, appearing on Rossiya One, a national state television channel, as if it were genuine news. It was further amplified on social media, with prominent figures like Communist Party leader Gennady Zyuganov sharing the report, calling the Soviet Union “the most educated and advanced country”—a post that was later deleted.

Russia’s domestic AI landscape, however, lags behind its global competitors, ranking 31st out of 83 nations for AI implementation, investment, and innovation, according to the Global AI Index by UK-based Tortoise Media. Russia not only trails technological giants like the United States and China but also faces stiff competition from other BRICS members like India and Brazil. Despite boasting two significant domestic AI models, Russia closely monitors China’s AI advancements, particularly the success of DeepSeek’s recent models, which have shaken up the global tech scene.

South Korea Blocks DeepSeek Amid Security Concerns, Following Global Warnings

South Korea’s industry ministry has temporarily blocked employee access to the Chinese artificial intelligence startup DeepSeek due to security concerns, marking the latest move by governments to restrict the use of certain AI services. A ministry official confirmed on Wednesday that the ban was implemented in response to growing apprehension surrounding generative AI technologies.

On Tuesday, the South Korean government issued a notice urging caution among ministries and agencies regarding the use of AI services such as DeepSeek and ChatGPT in work-related tasks. The notice followed earlier actions by state-run entities, with Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power confirming it had blocked access to DeepSeek earlier this month.

The country’s defense ministry also took action, blocking access to DeepSeek on military computers, while the foreign ministry restricted its use on devices connected to external networks, according to Yonhap News Agency. However, the foreign ministry did not provide further details regarding the specific security measures taken.

DeepSeek, which was not immediately available for comment, joins a growing list of companies facing scrutiny over potential security risks. Both Australia and Taiwan have recently banned the AI service from government devices, citing similar security concerns. In January, Italy’s data protection authority ordered DeepSeek to block its chatbot after the company failed to address privacy issues raised by regulators.

In addition to government actions, private companies in South Korea are also taking precautions. Kakao Corp, a major South Korean chat app operator, instructed employees to refrain from using DeepSeek due to security fears, particularly following its partnership with OpenAI. Other South Korean tech giants, including SK Hynix and Naver, have also restricted or limited access to generative AI services, citing concerns about data security and privacy.

The scrutiny of DeepSeek follows the company’s claim that its AI models are on par with or superior to products developed in the U.S., while being significantly cheaper to produce. South Korea’s information privacy watchdog has announced plans to inquire with DeepSeek about its user data management practices, adding another layer of regulatory attention on the Chinese startup.

 

Amazon’s Cloud Business Faces Crucial Test After Rivals Microsoft and Google Struggle

Amazon is under intense pressure as it prepares to report its fourth-quarter results on Thursday, with high expectations surrounding its cloud business amid growing concerns over Big Tech’s investments in artificial intelligence (AI). After disappointing earnings from Microsoft and Google, which fueled investor concerns about the costs of AI, Amazon’s performance could be a pivotal moment in the tech sector.

Shares of major tech companies surged in recent years, driven by the belief that the AI boom and its massive data center needs would sustain growth. However, these expectations were rattled when DeepSeek, a Chinese AI startup, announced breakthroughs at a fraction of the cost, causing a selloff in tech stocks.

Despite these challenges, Amazon may be in a stronger position than its rivals, analysts say. Amazon Web Services (AWS), the world’s largest cloud services provider, is poised to report a 19.3% revenue growth, its highest increase in eight quarters. The company is also expected to benefit from its early embrace of DeepSeek’s AI models and plans to release its generative AI voice service, Alexa, later this month.

While Microsoft and Google face slowing cloud growth, Amazon has maintained optimism about its cloud business. Some analysts believe that Amazon has regained ground in the AI race, thanks to its increased investment in companies like Anthropic and a broad selection of AI models available through AWS. “We believe AWS is regaining share,” said Gil Luria, an analyst at D.A. Davidson, highlighting Amazon’s strength in AI despite initial slower growth compared to Microsoft and Google.

Amazon’s valuation remains higher than its competitors, with a forward price-to-earnings ratio of nearly 39, compared to Microsoft’s 29 and Alphabet’s 22.4. This strong position could help Amazon surpass market expectations and emerge as a leader in the AI-driven cloud market.

In addition to its cloud growth, Amazon is benefiting from a strong retail performance. Analysts expect Amazon’s North American sales to rise 9% in the fourth quarter, fueled by a successful holiday shopping season. Increased consumer spending, particularly in e-commerce, and Amazon’s expansion into groceries, pharmacy, and fashion are expected to propel its growth in the retail sector.

With a favorable holiday season and a competitive edge in AI, Amazon’s upcoming report could restore confidence in the tech giant, positioning it for long-term success.