This case explores the geopolitical, technological, and ethical implications surrounding the emergence of DeepSeek, a Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) company that has rapidly positioned itself as a global competitor to established US AI giants like OpenAI.

The case examines how DeepSeek's rise has disrupted assumptions about the cost and scalability of frontier AI models, especially through its use of a more energy-efficient architecture known as Mixture of Experts (MoE).
It also investigates concerns around data governance, privacy, and transparency in both Chinese and Western AI ecosystems, highlighting the role of national AI strategies and political influence.

Students are invited to critically analyze governance frameworks, ethical principles, and strategic decisions related to AI development and deployment, particularly in the context of global power competition and public accountability.
The case serves as a lens to understand the broader debates about AI regulation, the political economy of innovation, and the responsibilities of private and public actors in the AI race.