China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) has started using a new Chinese AI tool called 'DeepSeek' for non-combat tasks, particularly in military hospitals. According to media reports, this AI helps doctors create treatment plans and is also being used in other civilian areas.

The Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported that DeepSeek's open-source AI models are being used in PLA hospitals, the People's Armed Police (PAP), and national defence mobilisation units. The PLA Central Theatre Command's general hospital said earlier this month that it had approved the embedded deployment of DeepSeek's R1-70B LLM, adding that it could provide treatment plans to assist physicians, according to the Post. The hospital highlighted its commitment to patient privacy and data security, ensuring that all information is stored and managed on local servers. Similar systems have been implemented in other PLA hospitals across the country, including the prestigious PLA General Hospital in Beijing, also called 301 Hospital. This facility treats senior Chinese officials and military officers and is believed to store highly sensitive personal data.

The Chinese military, which is heavily investing in modernisation, has advised its armed forces not to rely too much on artificial intelligence (AI). According to the People's Liberation Army (PLA), AI should be used as a tool to assist decision-making, not replace human judgment on the battlefield, as it lacks self-awareness. An article published in the People's Liberation Army Daily in January emphasised that AI must remain under human control. It should support decision-making while ensuring accountability, creativity and strategic adaptability remain key in military operations. The article further stated that AI should work alongside human commanders to improve command efficiency, enhancing their capabilities rather than taking over their roles. China is buzzing with excitement over DeepSeek's latest AI, which has grabbed global attention for its low-cost model. DeepSeek's R1 used much less computing power compared to well-known AI models like ChatGPT.

In addition, DeepSeek has overtaken ChatGPT as the top-ranked free app on Apple's App Store. Meanwhile, the US tech industry, which has poured billions into AI development, is watching in shock. Analysts believe that in the future, AI models will play a key role in battlefield intelligence, surveillance, and decision-making for the Chinese military. Apart from assisting in treatment plans in military hospitals, China is actively incorporating AI into various industries like healthcare, manufacturing and urban development. Some government agencies are also using DeepSeek models, particularly for anti-corruption initiatives. Additionally, certain units of the People's Armed Police (PAP), a paramilitary force under the Central Military Commission (CMC), have started using AI applications for daily physical training and psychological counselling. For example, the political work department of the Hainan paramilitary force recently shared a case where soldiers used DeepSeek to manage anxiety and create personalized exercise plans. 

Sam Bresnick, a research fellow at Georgetown University's Centre for Security and Emerging Technology, studies how AI is used in the military. He explained that the Chinese military (PLA) is testing DeepSeek's AI models in safe environments like hospitals and soldier training programs. By first using these AI models in non-combat situations, the PLA can work through any technical or operational issues before trying them in more critical and high-risk areas, Bresnick told the Post. The PLA has long recognised AI’s potential for military decision-making. With the introduction of DeepSeek's advanced R1 model, AI could play a bigger role in this area, he added. The PLA has been focusing on using advanced technology, especially AI, to improve its combat abilities in recent years. This includes making drone swarm tactics more effective, enhancing pilot training with better simulations and helping commanders make faster battlefield decisions.

Last month, the Chinese state-run newspaper Guangming Daily reported that DeepSeek is playing a key role in the military’s shift toward intelligent warfare, marking a new phase in its development. According to the report, DeepSeek can process huge amounts of battlefield data in real time, providing accurate situational awareness during combat. Chinese military analyst Fu Qianshao stated that DeepSeek is being used in regular physical training and logistical support, showing the PLA's dedication to keeping up with advancements and making full use of AI to improve overall combat abilities. He also mentioned that DeepSeek might be used for other combat functions, as AI has been gradually integrated into command systems for quite some time.