Reviewed by Gotrade Internal Analyst
Gotrade News - OpenAI has officially warned US lawmakers that its Chinese rival, DeepSeek, is playing dirty. The report alleges a systematic effort to extract results from American AI models to train their R1 chatbot.
This move escalates cross-border tech tensions that could shake up chip export regulations and the industry landscape. You need to keep an eye on potential policy shifts that could directly hit the tech stocks in your portfolio.
Key Takeaways:
-
OpenAI accuses DeepSeek of "distillation" to mimic advanced model capabilities without the massive R&D price tag.
-
This practice threatens the subscription-based business models of US firms and raises national security concerns.
-
The investigation is expanding to alleged chip export violations involving third-party routes via Singapore.
According to a memo reviewed by Bloomberg News, OpenAI claims DeepSeek is using sophisticated methods to extract results from US models. This is viewed as a blatant attempt to "free-ride" on the capabilities developed by top American labs.
Distillation is a technique where one AI model learns directly from another’s output to copy its smarts. OpenAI detected new, obfuscated methods designed specifically to bypass their defenses against data misuse.
Bloomberg reported that OpenAI kicked off an internal probe with its key partner, Microsoft, right after the R1 model dropped. The goal is to figure out if DeepSeek got their hands on sensitive data through unauthorized means.
Security Risks and Market Clashes
The dominance of cheap Chinese models is a serious threat to the subscription-based business models of American firms. This price gap risks eroding the US competitive edge in building massive AI infrastructure.
OpenAI also flagged national security risks, noting that copycat models often skip strict safety guardrails. Copying capabilities without the safety brakes triggers fears of AI misuse in high-stakes fields like biology.
The Chip War and Export Rules
US lawmakers are spotlighting the technical support allegedly provided by Nvidia in developing DeepSeek’s R1 model. Recent docs show technical comms to boost the model's performance happened before export bans kicked in.
President Donald Trump previously eased rules to allow sales of H200 processors, even though they lag behind the latest tech. However, these findings could trigger a total rethink of advanced chip export policies to Chinese tech firms.
US authorities are now digging into alleged illegal chip purchases routed through Singapore to dodge export controls. Expect stricter measures to drop soon to prevent American tech from being exploited further.
That’s the market update worth watching today. Follow Gotrade News for timely coverage on US stocks, ETFs, and macro moves that shape market direction. For a structured starter guide, visit the Gotrade Blog to learn the basics and build your plan.
If you want to act on this news, track price moves and review your portfolio in the Gotrade app. You can start investing in US stocks and ETFs with $1, then align your next steps with your goals and risk profile. Download and open the Gotrade app now!
Reference:
-
Seeking Alpha, OpenAI warns lawmakers that DeepSeek is using U.S. AI outputs to train R1 chatbot - report. Accessed on February 13, 2026
-
Bloomberg, OpenAI Claims DeepSeek Distilled US Models to Gain an Edge. Accessed on February 13, 2026
-
Featured Image: Shutterstock
