Artificial Intelligence (AI) assistants have become valuable tools for enhancing productivity and efficiency. However, with the emergence of new AI tools like DeepSeek, it’s crucial for businesses to exercise caution when allowing users to choose their AI assistants.
This blog post explores what an AI assistant is, provides a background on DeepSeek, and explains why it’s important to use caution with AI tools.
What’s an AI Assistant?
An AI assistant is a software application that uses artificial intelligence to perform tasks or services for an individual based on commands or questions.
These assistants can handle a variety of functions, such as scheduling meetings, sending emails, providing customer support, and even generating content.
Popular examples include Chat GPT, Gemini, Alexa, and Google Assistant. AI assistants leverage natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning algorithms to understand and respond to user inputs, making them valuable assets in both personal and professional settings.
What’s DeepSeek?
DeepSeek is a Chinese AI company founded in 2023 that has recently gained significant attention for its open-source large language models (LLMs) that offer impressive inference speed and accuracy with far less data use.
DeepSeek’s models are versatile, capable of performing tasks ranging from natural language processing to complex problem-solving.
Why We Recommend Caution with DeepSeek
Despite its impressive capabilities, there are several reasons why businesses should be cautious when considering DeepSeek as their AI assistant:
- Privacy and Security Concerns: DeepSeek’s compliance with Chinese government censorship policies and its data collection practices have raised significant privacy and security concerns. All personal data collected through DeepSeek’s services is stored on servers in China, which may conflict with a business’s data security policies and external commitments to their customers.
- Exploitable Flaws: Recent reports from cybersecurity firms have highlighted several vulnerabilities in DeepSeek’s models. These flaws have been exploited to jailbreak the model, prompting it to create harmful content. While competing models have addressed similar issues, DeepSeek still has some ground to cover in ensuring its models are secure and reliable.
- Tendency to Generate False Information: Another concern with DeepSeek is that researchers reported that it tends to fabricate information rather than admit it cannot find something. This can lead to misinformation and potentially harmful outcomes, especially in a business context where accuracy is important.
- Regulatory Scrutiny: Due to its rapid rise and compliance with local censorship laws, DeepSeek has faced regulatory scrutiny in multiple countries. Businesses must stay informed about any legal developments that might affect the use of DeepSeek’s models.
Sourcepass AI Assistant Recommendations
Given the potential risks associated with DeepSeek, Sourcepass recommends the following steps to ensure a safer and more reliable AI assistant experience:
- Thorough Vetting of AI Tools: Before integrating any AI assistant into your business operations, conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the tool’s capabilities, security measures, and compliance with data protection regulations. Ensure that the AI tool aligns with your business’s privacy and security policies.
- Develop an AI Readiness Policy: Establish an AI readiness policy that outlines acceptable and ethical use of AI tools within your business. This policy should include guidelines for data privacy, security, and the responsible use of AI-generated content.
- Choose Established AI Providers: Opt for AI assistants from well-established providers with a proven track record of security and reliability. There are many AI solutions, such as Microsoft Copilot, that have undergone extensive testing and scrutiny.
- Regular Security Audits: Conduct regular security audits of your AI tools to identify and address any vulnerabilities. Stay updated on the latest security practices and ensure that your AI assistants are equipped with the necessary safeguards to protect your data.
Contact Sourcepass for Guidance on AI Assistants
If you want to safely and effectively leverage AI technology to drive success, contact Sourcepass to speak with a Sourcepass Specialist to learn more!