A Discussion on Deepseek's Impact

During the winter break, Deepseek’s launch took the internet by storm, creating a global sensation. Previously, many believed that the key difference between AI and humans was that AI lacked genuine thinking and could only produce mechanical responses. Since ChatGPT is a foreign product, its use of Chinese was somewhat awkward, making its AI nature easy to detect. However, Deepseek has shattered these assumptions by demonstrating detailed reasoning and clear thinking processes. Moreover, being developed natively in Chinese, its language abilities are remarkably strong—effortlessly crafting poetry and literature that are nearly indistinguishable from human writing.

Most people were pleasantly surprised by this breakthrough, especially university students who often use AI. They were amazed at how much this tool boosted productivity and made completing assignments far more efficient. However, when my mother and I excitedly discussed it, she shared a very different feeling. Instead of happiness or excitement, she felt anxiety. She worries that with the rise of artificial intelligence, her job could be replaced—and maybe even humanity itself. “What is the future of humankind? My efficiency can’t compete with AI, and now even the quality of some work falls short compared to what AI can do. What are we supposed to do? Don’t you feel anxious?” she asked.

I was a bit surprised by her perspective because, to me, AI’s emergence clearly benefits humanity, and no one around me seemed to share her concerns. I told her, “If you think like that, you’re more likely to be replaced by AI!” That said, everyone has their own views on AI, and the ethical questions it raises are definitely important to consider in this fast-paced era of technological advancement.