Every time a new AI model shows up, we hear the same old hype, “better performance,” “larger context windows,” “more accurate responses”. But with DeepSeek, the conversation has mostly focused on its ability to compete with GPT-4 and Gemini. That’s missing the point.
What’s being overlooked is how DeepSeek is changing the game in AI evolution. It’s not just about improving benchmarks; it’s about redefining how we train, use and even own AI models. There’s way more happening here than meets the eye.
The Real Disruption: AI Sovereignty and Control
DeepSeek isn’t just another model, it’s a real game changer. China has been pushing hard towards AI independence, and DeepSeek is a huge step in that direction. This isn’t just about catching up with OpenAI – it’s about AI sovereignty.
Countries and enterprises are realizing it’s too risky to depend on U.S.-based tech giants for their AI. When your business or nation relies heavily on AI for critical operations, how much control do you really have if that AI is run and governed by a foreign entity? DeepSeek is a wake-up call: the future of AI is localized, controlled, and sovereign.
The Open-Source Illusion
People are saying DeepSeek is an open-source competitor to the big names, but let’s be clear, these days open-source AI doesn’t mean what it used to. A lot of these “open” AI projects have increasingly restrictive licenses which pretty much block actual business use. The real question is “Is DeepSeek truly open, or is it another one of these marketing terms used to make them look good, but not really usable.” Where the label is more about optics than actual accessibility?
If DeepSeek follows the path of models like LLaMA, where “open” still means controlled distribution, then we’re looking at a future where open-source AI is a bait-and-switch for regulatory positioning rather than real community-driven innovation.
The Power Struggle: AI Beyond Silicon Valley
DeepSeek also highlights the shifting center of AI development. For years, AI dominance has been concentrated in Silicon Valley. But as AI matures, that monopoly is being challenged. It’s no longer a Silicon Valley thing.
China has a track record of aggressive AI development, and DeepSeek shows the reality that leading-edge AI innovation isn’t just happening at OpenAI, Google DeepMind, or Anthropic. Whether you view this as healthy competition or an impending geopolitical shakeup, one thing is clear: AI’s power is spreading out, and we’re seeing a shift in who calls the shots and who gets to shape the future of intelligence.
What This Means for Cybersecurity, Observability, and AI Risk
From a cybersecurity perspective, DeepSeek raises critical questions. If companies start relying on AI models that aren’t tied to our Western security standards, what are the hidden risks? The origin of our AI and managing it as a risk factor is becoming as vital as software supply chain security.
But it goes deeper. What happens when we start giving these models more autonomy? Where do we draw the line between helpful automation and unchecked decision-making? How do we trace the “reasoning” behind an AI’s output, especially when that reasoning is embedded in layers of weights and parameters that even its creators can’t fully explain?
AI observability needs to become a core part of the conversation. Organizations need to track, monitor, and audit AI behavior in real time. Can the model explain why it made a decision? Can it be manipulated, hijacked, or subtly nudged to act erratically? These aren’t just theoretical questions, they’re operational imperatives.
We’re entering an era where AI-origin risk, observability, and autonomy thresholds will become board-level concerns. Because once an AI model is widely adopted, it’s already too late to ask these questions.
The Takeaway: Look Beyond the Obvious
DeepSeek isn’t just another AI model, it’s a shift in the balance of power. It’s a statement on AI ownership, access, and control. While everyone else focuses on its technical capabilities and performance, the real conversation should be about what DeepSeek represents: the future of AI in a world that’s becoming more fractured, competitive, and driven by digital sovereignty.
This isn’t just about AI innovation. It’s about who controls intelligence itself.
By Steve Tcherchian