China's PLA Adopts 'DeepSeek' AI for Non-combat Defense Operations

China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) has begun deploying the Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) technology 'DeepSeek' for non-combat support, especially in military hospitals. According to media sources, the AI helps doctors build treatment plans and is also employed in other civilian applications.

According to the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post, DeepSeek's open-source large language models (LLMs) are being used in PLA hospitals, the People's Armed Police (PAP), and national defense mobilization units.

Earlier this month, the general hospital of the PLA Central Theatre Command reported the "embedded deployment" of DeepSeek's R1-70B LLM. According to the South China Morning Post, the hospital's AI delivers treatment plan suggestions to clinicians. It further stated that patient data is secure, with all information saved and processed on local servers.

Other PLA hospitals, like as Beijing's PLA General Hospital, known as "301 Hospital," have also implemented DeepSeek. This facility treats elite Chinese leaders and military officers while also handling sensitive personal information.

The PLA has previously emphasized that AI should support, not replace, human decision-making in military operations. In January, the People's Liberation Army Daily stated, "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 also stated, "AI must work in tandem with human decision-makers to optimise command effectiveness, enhancing rather than replacing human agency."

DeepSeek's latest AI models have received attention for having lower computational requirements than existing models such as ChatGPT. The app has surpassed ChatGPT as the highest-rated free app on Apple's App Store.

Analysts predict that the Chinese military will use these AI models for battlefield intelligence, surveillance, and decision-making in the future.

Aside from military hospitals, China is promoting AI applications in healthcare, manufacturing, and urban development. Some government entities have also implemented DeepSeek models, including anti-corruption initiatives.

Units of the PAP, which reports to the Central Military Commission (CMC), have begun to use AI for everyday physical training and psychological counseling. The political work department of Hainan's paramilitary force revealed that soldiers utilized DeepSeek to manage anxiety and prepare exercises.

The PLA has previously supported the use of AI in military decision-making.

The PLA has been working to integrate high-end technology, including AI, into its operations. This includes improving drone swarm tactics, pilot training, and battlefield decision-making support.

In a report last month, the Chinese state-run Guangming Daily said that DeepSeek "is playing an increasingly crucial role in the military intelligentization process, ushering in a new chapter in the evolution of military intelligentization." The report said DeepSeek can process large amounts of battlefield data in real-time, improving situational awareness.