Tim Cook just walked into a hornet's nest. Apple's CEO called China's DeepSeek AI "excellent" during his Beijing visit, despite the chatbot's mounting security and privacy concerns.
DeepSeek stormed to the top of Apple's App Store rankings earlier this year. The AI model impressed experts with performance matching global leaders - at a surprisingly low development cost. But success brought scrutiny.
The chatbot leaked sensitive user data. Security researchers found multiple flaws in its iOS app. Both US and European regulators launched investigations. ARM's CEO even predicted a US ban. None of this stopped Cook's endorsement.
The timing speaks volumes. Apple needs government approval to launch its own AI features in China. The company must partner with a local firm and accept political censorship - Beijing made that non-negotiable.
Cook's China visit showcased classic diplomatic maneuvering. His Weibo posts celebrated iPhone photography, rural education initiatives, and clean energy investments. The DeepSeek praise came during carefully orchestrated state media interviews.
The Apple CEO knows this dance well. China remains Apple's manufacturing powerhouse and a crucial market. Each visit requires a delicate balance between corporate interests and political sensitivities.
Cook chose his words carefully. His one-word endorsement - "excellent" - gives Chinese media their headline while saying almost nothing. It's the minimum viable praise from a CEO navigating treacherous waters.
Why this matters:
This episode perfectly captures the impossible tightrope Western tech companies walk in China - forced to praise potential security threats to maintain market access
Cook's diplomatic "excellence" shows how even the world's most valuable company must bend to Beijing's will when it comes to AI development and deployment
Marcus Schuler
Marcus Schuler
