In late 2024, Microsoft security researchers detected unusual large-scale data extraction from OpenAI’s API.
In late 2024, Microsoft security researchers detected unusual large-scale data extraction from OpenAI’s API, prompting an investigation into potential violations of the AI firm's terms of service.
Reports indicate that the suspicious activity may be linked to DeepSeek, a Chinese AI startup that recently launched its AI model, R-1, and claims to rival the performance of ChatGPT at a significantly lower cost.
According to sources cited by Bloomberg, the investigation is focused on whether DeepSeek improperly obtained data from OpenAI's technology stack. Microsoft, which is OpenAI’s largest investor, alerted the firm about the suspicious activity, raising concerns that the group may have bypassed restrictions on data gathering.
David Sacks, the White House's crypto and AI czar, stated that evidence suggests DeepSeek may have used outputs from OpenAI's models to train its own AI through a process known as distillation.
Sacks emphasized that this practice could lead to the development of comparable capabilities without authorization from OpenAI.
Amid these developments, the U.S. Navy has taken precautionary measures by prohibiting its personnel from using DeepSeek's AI model. An internal email on Jan. 24 highlighted potential security and ethical concerns regarding the model's origins and usage.
OpenAI has acknowledged ongoing worries about Chinese companies attempting to distill the intellectual property of leading U.S. AI firms but did not specifically comment on the allegations against DeepSeek.
The situation underscores escalating tensions in the competitive landscape of AI technology between the U.S. and China, as companies on both sides seek to advance their capabilities.
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