OpenAI is probing allegations that its artificial intelligence (AI) models were used in building the rival chatbot known as DeepSeek. The San Francisco-based company, working in partnership with Microsoft, its significant investor to the tune of $13 billion, has raised concerns over Chinese startups frequently leveraging its technology to create competing products.

Both OpenAI and Microsoft have been investigating claims that DeepSeek may have accessed OpenAI’s AI models through a controversial method called “distillation,” which could potentially allow unauthorized access to proprietary technology.

As part of its ongoing review, OpenAI has recognized that this is not an isolated incident; there are several Chinese startups that have continually used its AI models to build alternative platforms. These developments raise questions about the integrity of the proprietary information because OpenAI has to protect innovative technologies from being replicated without permission.

The concern over “distillation” highlights the ongoing tensions in the AI sector, where companies are increasingly battling to safeguard their intellectual property while also managing the rapid expansion of AI-powered tools across the globe. OpenAI’s warnings come amid growing competition and pressure from international players seeking to establish themselves in the AI space, particularly in China.

With OpenAI joining the partnership deal with Microsoft, they have reached various milestones into improvement of AI own products among the most being very popular being the ChatGPT. More about this from further below.

As this probe unfolds, it is assumed that OpenAI and Microsoft would take appropriate measures to clear off the alleged charges and keep the technology from unscrupulous use. In the meanwhile, the development of more significant advancements in AI technology continues to raise a larger question over innovation and intellectual property and ethical boundaries over AI development.