Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-000394/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Mario Mantovani (ECR), Nicola Procaccini (ECR), Carlo Fidanza (ECR), Sergio Berlato (ECR), Francesco Ventola (ECR), Pietro Fiocchi (ECR), Francesco Torselli (ECR), Giuseppe Milazzo (ECR), Daniele Polato (ECR), Alberico Gambino (ECR), Lara Magoni (ECR), Ruggero Razza (ECR), Marco Squarta (ECR), Stefano Cavedagna (ECR), Giovanni Crosetto (ECR), Alessandro Ciriani (ECR), Elena Donazzan (ECR), Michele Picaro (ECR), Chiara Gemma (ECR), Mariateresa Vivaldini (ECR), Denis Nesci (ECR), Carlo Ciccioli (ECR), Antonella Sberna (ECR), Paolo Inselvini (ECR)
Chinese start-up DeepSeek has launched the chatbot DeepSeek V3, a highly efficient, free-to-use open-source model said to outperform western models despite using less powerful and less energy-consuming chips than the current market standard.
The model was unveiled on Friday 24 January by Chinese hedge fund High Flyer (founded by Liang Wenfeng, the man behind Hangzhou Huanfang Technology and Ningbo Huanfang Investment) in an announcement that sparked heavy losses for technology listings across all western stock markets.
In view of the above:
- 1.This unveiling comes at a crucial time for other global players. Does the Commission not think that – not least to protect investors and markets – it ought to launch an urgent inquiry into the extent to which the Chinese Government backed or was involved in developing this model, the true funding costs and how the model is run?
- 2.Censorship is clearly part and parcel of the model. Does the Commission not think it ought to check the model’s compatibility with the EU’s principles of freedom and the Digital Services Act, which could certainly be wielded to safeguard the freedom of expression and to counter censorship?
- 3.The model is said to work even with less powerful chips. Does the Commission not think this opens up new opportunities for policies supporting European innovation?
Submitted: 29.1.2025