Hyundai and Kia Ban the Use of DeepSeek AI
Hyundai and Kia have officially banned employees from using DeepSeek, a Chinese AI platform, over concerns about potential data security risks. According to South Korean media reports, the ban applies not only to the companies' headquarters in South Korea but also to all international offices, subsidiaries, and affiliates under Hyundai Motor Group.
What is DeepSeek and Why is It a Concern?
DeepSeek is a Chinese AI language model that competes with ChatGPT, offering users free and virtually unrestricted access to a wide range of features. Unlike other language models on the market, DeepSeek allows users to generate text, analyze documents, and even code—without requiring a paid subscription. However, all user data is processed through servers located in China, raising security concerns for companies handling sensitive corporate information.
Hyundai Motor Group fears that DeepSeek could pose a significant risk to confidential business data. The decision to ban the platform coincided with its rapid surge in popularity and growing concerns over potential vulnerabilities in its data protection measures. Cybersecurity researchers recently discovered a publicly accessible database containing over a million records, including sensitive user information—adding further fuel to Hyundai and Kia’s concerns.
China’s Auto Industry Embraces DeepSeek
While Hyundai and Kia are steering clear of DeepSeek, Chinese automakers are taking the opposite approach. For example, Dongfeng Motor has announced plans to integrate DeepSeek AI into its vehicles, with other Chinese manufacturers expected to follow suit. This means that drivers of select Chinese models will soon have access to DeepSeek’s AI-powered functionalities directly from their vehicles.
The move highlights the diverging perspectives on AI and data security—while South Korean and Western automakers prioritize information protection, Chinese manufacturers see AI integration as a key innovation for enhancing user experience.
