From Drone Swarms to Robot Dogs — DeepSeek Becomes China's Secret Weapon in AI Arms Race

China's military is rapidly weaponising domestic AI, favouring DeepSeek models to power autonomous systems like drone swarms and combat vehicles, escalating the rivalry with the US. (Credit: X / Owen Gregorian @OwenGregorian)

The global power play of the 21st century isn't fought with tanks and missiles, but with lines of code. The AI arms race is on, and the ultimate prize is supremacy. While the world watches the West's most prominent players, a powerful, quieter contender is emerging from the East.

Suddenly, DeepSeek is being deployed for tasks ranging from coordinating autonomous drone swarms to controlling next-generation robot dogs, quietly transforming into China's secret weapon in this high-tech, high-stakes conflict.