DeepSeek employees face travel restrictions in China

FILE PHOTO: DeepSeek is barring some of their key employees from travelling outside the country due to fears of loss over trade secrets.
| Photo Credit: Reuters

Chinese AI startup DeepSeek is reportedly barring some of their key employees from travelling outside the country with the government taking keen interest in screening potential investors, per a report by The Information, which has cited unnamed government sources. The startup’s parent company, quant fund High-Flyer, has withheld staff passports, the outlet noted. 

Just a few weeks ago, the Chinese government ordered AI researchers and professionals to not travel to the U.S. owing to fears over loss of trade secrets. 

A week ago, reports emerged that company founder Liang Wenfeng was wary of bringing in new shareholders who can influence operations at the firm. Mr. Liang also said that DeepSeek will focus on AI research for now instead of profiting from its product unlike Silicon Valley AI firms.