The US Department of Defense has found itself entangled in the latest AI chatbot frenzy, with employees connecting their work computers to Chinese servers to use DeepSeek, despite the service's terms of service explicitly stating that it stores user data on Chinese servers and is governed by Chinese law. This has raised significant national security concerns, as Chinese law mandates cooperation with the country's intelligence agencies.

According to a report by Bloomberg, Defense Department workers used DeepSeek on their work computers for at least two days, sparking a swift response from the Pentagon. The department has since started blocking DeepSeek on some of its networks, although some employees were still able to access the service.

This incident highlights the growing concern among US government agencies about the national security implications of using Chinese-developed AI technology. DeepSeek's popularity has soared in recent weeks, with the chatbot climbing to the top of both the US Apple and Play stores. However, its Chinese origins and data storage practices have raised red flags among security experts.

The US Navy has taken a more decisive stance, banning employees from accessing DeepSeek on January 24, citing security and ethical concerns, according to a report by CNBC. This move underscores the growing unease among government agencies about the potential risks associated with using Chinese-developed AI technology.

The incident also raises questions about the lack of awareness among Defense Department employees about the potential security risks associated with using DeepSeek. It is unclear whether the employees were aware of the service's terms of service and the potential implications of storing their data on Chinese servers.

The US government's response to DeepSeek is a sign of the growing scrutiny of Chinese-developed AI technology in the country. As AI technology continues to advance and become more integrated into daily life, the incident serves as a reminder of the need for greater awareness and caution when using these services, particularly among government agencies and sensitive industries.

As the US government continues to grapple with the national security implications of DeepSeek and other Chinese-developed AI technology, one thing is clear: the incident has sparked a much-needed conversation about the potential risks and consequences of using these services, and the need for greater vigilance in protecting sensitive data and national security interests.