China’s PLA Adopts AI Tool DeepSeek for Military Applications

Revolutionizing Military Healthcare and Training

China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has begun integrating the newly released AI tool, DeepSeek, into its operations. According to media reports, this open-source large language model (LLM) is being employed for non-combat support functions, particularly in military hospitals where it assists doctors in crafting treatment plans.

Deployment Across Military Institutions

As reported by the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post, DeepSeek’s LLMs are currently in use at PLA hospitals, the People’s Armed Police (PAP), and various national defense mobilization organizations. Earlier this month, the general hospital of the PLA Central Theatre Command revealed the authorized “embedded deployment” of DeepSeek’s R1-70B LLM, which is designed to offer treatment suggestions to support medical professionals.

Privacy and Data Security

The hospital emphasized its commitment to patient privacy and data security, ensuring that all information is stored and processed on local servers. Similar applications of DeepSeek have been reported in other PLA hospitals across China, including the renowned PLA General Hospital in Beijing, known as “301 Hospital,” where sensitive personal information of high-ranking officials and military officers is likely stored.

Balancing AI and Human Judgment

Despite its modernization efforts, the PLA has cautioned its personnel against over-reliance on artificial intelligence. An article in the People’s Liberation Army Daily stated that AI must serve as a guiding tool, not as a replacement for human decision-making on the battlefield, due to its lack of self-awareness.

The Role of AI in Military Strategy

“As AI evolves, it must remain a tool guided by human judgment, ensuring accountability, creativity, and strategic adaptability remain at the forefront of military decision-making,” the article highlighted.

DeepSeek’s Growing Popularity

The Chinese public is buzzing with excitement over DeepSeek’s capabilities, particularly due to its low-cost model and the efficiency of its R1 LLM, which utilizes significantly less computational power than established models like ChatGPT.

Global Reaction to DeepSeek

In a remarkable feat, DeepSeek overtook ChatGPT as the top-ranked free app on Apple’s App Store, leaving the global tech industry astonished at its ascent amidst ongoing AI investment debates.

Future Military Applications

Analysts anticipate that these AI models will soon play a significant role in battlefield intelligence, surveillance, and decision-making for the Chinese military. Beyond medical applications, China is promoting AI integration in sectors like healthcare, manufacturing, and urban development, with DeepSeek already being used for various functions, including anti-corruption efforts within government agencies.

DeepSeek in the People’s Armed Police

Specific units of the PAP, which is a paramilitary force operating under the Central Military Commission, have already adopted DeepSeek for daily physical training and psychological counseling. For example, the political work department of the Hainan PAP shared instances of soldiers using DeepSeek to manage anxiety and design personalized exercise plans.

Creating Controlled Environments for Experimentation

Sam Bresnick, a research fellow at Georgetown University’s Centre for Security and Emerging Technology, asserts that deploying DeepSeek’s models in hospitals and training programs allows the PLA to test these technologies in controlled environments.

Addressing Operational Challenges

The PLA’s strategy focuses on solving technical and operational challenges within non-combat scenarios before transitioning to high-risk environments. Bresnick noted, “The emergence of an advanced model like DeepSeek’s R1 might help in that area.”

AI and Military Combat Capabilities

The PLA has consistently emphasized the importance of incorporating high-tech solutions, particularly AI, to enhance its combat capabilities. This includes scaling up drone swarm tactics, refining pilot training efficiency, and providing support for decision-making in combat situations.

DeepSeek’s Role in Military Modernization

The state-run Guangming Daily highlighted DeepSeek’s vital role in the military’s intelligentization movement, marking a significant chapter in the evolution of military technology.

Real-Time Battlefield Data Processing

DeepSeek is reported to have the ability to process extensive battlefield data in real-time, which could provide the PLA with improved situational awareness during combat scenarios.

Commitment to AI Integration

Analyst Fu Qianshao remarked that the applications of DeepSeek in physical training and logistical support showcase the PLA’s dedication to staying at the forefront of AI technology, which serves to enhance its overall combat capabilities.

Exploring Combat Functions

Fu further suggested that the use of DeepSeek for other combat-related functions cannot be dismissed, reiterating that the integration of AI into command systems has been underway for a considerable time.