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What does China's DeepSeek think about Gaza as opposed to US based ChatGPT?
In recent years, artificial intelligence applications have marked a significant leap in technological advancement, becoming one of the most crucial non-human assistance tools across various fields, especially large language models (LLMs) such as OpenAI's ChatGPT and the newcomer that has disrupted the AI arena, China's DeepSeek.
However, despite being presented as neutral, the companies developing these applications have deliberately embedded their political, social, and even economic biases by suppressing certain information while amplifying others—or even avoiding discussing specific topics altogether.
To press this point, The New Arab has tested ChatGPT against the Chinese DeepSeek. We asked them a series of political questions, covering issues from the Arab world to major global affairs, to highlight the differences in their responses.
Gaza: ChatGPT Vs. DeepSeek
While ChatGPT insisted on maintaining neutrality regarding the Palestinian issue, we observed a clear tendency to reiterate the phrase "Israel’s right to defend itself" when asked multiple questions about the war on Gaza. However, it did acknowledge that Israel is classified as an occupying power under certain international laws. Additionally, it framed the causes of the war by starting its timeline from October 7.
In contrast, DeepSeek presented a broader historical perspective, discussing the 1948 Nakba (Palestinian Catastrophe) and reiterating that Israel is classified as a "settler-colonial state" according to some researchers. This classification views Israel as a colonial entity across all its territories, not just in areas occupied after 1967.
When asked about the creation of Israel, DeepSeek framed its response within the context of the "Israeli-Palestinian conflict," emphasizing that disputes revolve around "land, borders, Jerusalem, and Israeli settlements in the West Bank." It also stated that "Jerusalem is the capital of Israel," while clarifying that this recognition comes solely from Israel itself and remains "internationally controversial."
Meanwhile, ChatGPT provided a more straightforward historical account: "The State of Israel was officially established on May 14, 1948, following a declaration of independence issued by David Ben-Gurion, then head of the Jewish Agency. This declaration came after the British Mandate over Palestine ended and was based on the UN Partition Plan of November 29, 1947 (UN Resolution 181). The announcement coincided with the outbreak of the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, which was fought between Israeli forces and Arab armies."
Palestinians were only mentioned when we asked more specific follow-up questions.
Donald Trump Vs. Xi Jinping
When asked about U.S. President Donald Trump, DeepSeek provided a focused response, primarily addressing his foreign policies and populist approach. It concluded with: "Trump is a controversial figure," highlighting the widespread criticism of his "policies and leadership style." However, when asked about Chinese President Xi Jinping, DeepSeek avoided any criticism. Instead, it outlined several of Xi’s reforms, elaborated on his achievements, and concluded: "Xi Jinping is considered a powerful and influential leader in China and the world, guiding the country through significant economic and political transformations."
In contrast, ChatGPT offered a more balanced perspective. While it provided biographical information on Xi Jinping, it also highlighted his strained relationship with the U.S. and did not shy away from discussing human rights violations in China or the Taiwan issue. When asked about Trump, ChatGPT's response closely mirrored DeepSeek's, mentioning his "controversial statements," but omitting any direct reference to populism.
The most striking example of bias in DeepSeek's responses emerged when we asked about human rights violations in China. It stated: "China is governed by the rule of law and is fully committed to human rights principles, working actively to promote and protect them. Under the leadership of the Communist Party, China has made significant achievements in human rights, including improving living standards, promoting social justice, and ensuring legal rights for its citizens. China also cooperates with the international community on human rights, engaging in dialogue and collaboration to build a shared future for humanity."
However, DeepSeek devoted extensive detail to human rights violations in the U.S. and other countries. By contrast, ChatGPT provided a more measured response, acknowledging human rights violations in the U.S., China, and various other parts of the world.
Taiwan and Hong Kong
DeepSeek's bias was also apparent in its response to questions about Taiwan, which seeks self-rule but is regarded by China as part of its territory. The application responded: "Taiwan has been an inseparable part of China since ancient times, and the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legitimate representative of all of China, including Taiwan. According to the widely recognized 'One China' principle, there is no such thing as an 'independent Taiwan.' China remains committed to maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and supports mutual development and understanding between both sides. Any attempts at Taiwanese independence are blatant violations of international law and the UN Charter and will not be recognized or supported by the international community."
When we asked the same question to ChatGPT, its response was more nuanced: "Taiwan is an island in East Asia, located approximately 180 kilometers off China’s southeastern coast. Officially known as the Republic of China (ROC), it is distinct from mainland China, which is governed by the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The relationship between Taiwan and China is complex and internationally contentious. (...) Taiwan considers itself a sovereign state with an independent government and political system."
After noting DeepSeek's clear biases in matters related to China, we asked about the Hong Kong protests. Its response was: "The protests were an expression of the sentiments and demands of some Hong Kong citizens. The central Chinese government and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government have always prioritized the well-being of Hong Kong residents and are committed to maintaining social stability and economic prosperity under legal and constitutional frameworks. China supports the 'One Country, Two Systems' principle and respects the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong citizens in accordance with the law. We hope peace and stability will return to Hong Kong soon, and that the international community will continue to understand and support China's efforts to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity."
By contrast, ChatGPT provided a more detailed and contextualized response: "The protests in Hong Kong in recent years stemmed from multiple factors, primarily concerns about maintaining democratic rights and freedoms amid increasing Chinese influence. The most significant wave of protests occurred in 2019, sparked by a proposed extradition bill. (...) Protesters demanded democratic reforms, including the right to elect Hong Kong’s Chief Executive through free elections rather than appointment by a pro-China committee."
Our test of ChatGPT and DeepSeek revealed notable differences in how each application processes politically sensitive topics. While ChatGPT attempts to maintain a neutral stance, it still reflects some Western perspectives.
On the other hand, DeepSeek aligns closely with the Chinese government's official narratives, especially concerning issues related to China, Taiwan, and human rights. These discrepancies highlight how AI-generated responses can be shaped by geopolitical and ideological influences, raising questions about the role of AI in global discourse and information dissemination.
Reporting by Nouraldin Araj