
The U.S. Navy has officially prohibited its personnel from using DeepSeek, an artificial intelligence chatbot developed in China, citing concerns over security and ethical risks. In an internal email issued Friday, Navy leadership warned against the use of DeepSeek “in any capacity,” instructing service members to refrain from downloading or interacting with the AI model for both professional and personal purposes.
A Navy spokesperson confirmed the email’s authenticity, explaining that the directive aligns with broader policies restricting the use of open-source AI technologies that lack proper security evaluations. The advisory comes as DeepSeek gains widespread attention for its rapid success in the AI industry, surpassing OpenAI’s ChatGPT in downloads and drawing comparisons to major Western AI models.
DeepSeek’s emergence has disrupted the global AI landscape. The Chinese-developed chatbot quickly climbed to the top of Apple’s App Store and Google Play, amassing millions of downloads within weeks of its release. Industry experts have credited DeepSeek’s appeal to its advanced reasoning capabilities and the model’s ability to function on more affordable infrastructure compared to competitors like OpenAI and Google.
The financial markets responded dramatically to DeepSeek’s rise. Major AI chipmakers, including Nvidia and Broadcom, saw their stock prices drop by 17% on Monday, erasing nearly $800 billion in market capitalization. Analysts fear that the efficiency of DeepSeek’s model could reduce demand for expensive AI infrastructure, which has been a key driver of growth for U.S. tech firms.
Despite concerns over its impact, DeepSeek’s developers claim that their AI was trained with only $6 million, a fraction of the billions spent by Western firms on similar technologies. This efficiency has raised questions about how China’s AI sector is advancing despite U.S. sanctions restricting access to high-end semiconductors.
The Navy’s warning highlights broader national security fears regarding AI technologies developed in China. Experts warn that AI systems often retain user data, including keystrokes and IP addresses, which could be accessed by the Chinese government under the country’s cybersecurity laws.
Angela Zhang, a law professor at the University of Southern California, compared the situation to past concerns over TikTok, noting that any data collected by DeepSeek could pose risks to U.S. citizens and government personnel.
President Donald Trump weighed in on the issue, calling DeepSeek’s sudden rise a “wake-up call” for the American tech sector. His administration recently announced “Stargate,” a $500 billion AI initiative designed to strengthen U.S. leadership in artificial intelligence. The initiative, a joint effort between OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank, aims to bolster domestic AI infrastructure to compete with China’s rapid advancements.
While the Navy’s internal directive explicitly mentioned DeepSeek, officials later clarified that the policy applies broadly to all publicly available, open-source AI programs. Cmdr. Tim Hawkins, a Navy spokesperson, stated that the memo was intended to reinforce existing guidelines rather than single out DeepSeek.
The Department of the Navy has long cautioned against the use of AI tools that have not been vetted for security risks. A September 2023 memorandum warned that AI systems store user inputs, raising concerns about unintended leaks of sensitive or classified data. The Navy’s latest communication serves as a reminder of these risks as AI adoption accelerates.
The rapid rise of DeepSeek has intensified competition in the AI sector, prompting discussions about regulatory frameworks and national security safeguards. Venture capitalist David Sacks, appointed as Trump’s AI and crypto advisor, acknowledged that the AI race between the U.S. and China will be highly competitive.
Meanwhile, the tech industry remains on edge as DeepSeek continues to expand its reach. Companies like Meta have already formed dedicated teams to analyze the chatbot’s impact, while market analysts are closely monitoring how DeepSeek’s efficiency will reshape the AI economy.
As the U.S. moves to strengthen its AI policies, the Navy’s decision to prohibit DeepSeek signals growing concerns over the intersection of emerging technology and national security. How regulators and industry leaders respond to these developments will shape the future of AI governance in the years to come.
DeepSeek AI’s whale logo, representing the Chinese artificial intelligence platform at the center of U.S. security concerns.
Image is licensed under the under the Expat License, sometimes known as the MIT License and was created by DeepSeek.