Chen Deli, senior researcher at DeepSeek, has raised alarm in the Chinese tech sector by expressing his skepticism about the social impact of artificial intelligence (AI).
During his speech at the World Internet Conference in Wuzhen, Chen admitted to being “extremely positive about technology,” but pessimistic regarding its impact on employment, noting that in one or two decades, AI could begin to replace human jobs, which would represent a “huge challenge” for society.
This speech marks a notable turn, considering that DeepSeek is seen as a symbol of China’s technological capability and has been in the spotlight following the launch of its language model R1.
Xi Jinping has proposed the creation of a global body to regulate AI
Chen’s statement contrasts with the usual optimism of the Chinese official discourse, highlighting the need for a more preventive regulatory approach instead of the previous triumphalist narrative.
In this context, Xi Jinping has proposed the creation of a global body to regulate AI, suggesting that this technology should be considered an international public good.
This change in the narrative reflects a growing concern about the occupational risks that AI could entail and suggests that tech companies like DeepSeek will play a crucial role as advocates in this transition.
Despite the risks highlighted by Chen, DeepSeek continues to establish itself as a pillar of the AI ecosystem in China, collaborating with hardware manufacturers like Huawei and launching new models that challenge products like NVIDIA’s APUs.
Rumors suggest that as the company progresses, there could be more announcements about its future in the tech market, which could influence the landscape of AI globally.