Hyundai Motor Group Limits Employee Access to Chinese AI Service DeepSeek

SEOUL, Feb. 7 -- Hyundai Motor Group has recently restricted its employees from using DeepSeek, a generative artificial intelligence (AI) service from China, in response to concerns about potential data leaks.

On Wednesday, Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Corp. sent an internal notice to their employees at the headquarters in Seoul, stating that access to DeepSeek would be blocked due to various information security risks associated with the AI service.

This restriction is not limited to just Hyundai and Kia; it also applies to other units of Hyundai Motor Group, which include Kia Corp., Hyundai Mobis Co., Hyundai Wia Co., and Hyundai Glovis Co. Sources indicate that the company plans to extend these restrictions to its operations located overseas in the near future.

The decision to block access to DeepSeek aligns with similar measures taken by government agencies and other businesses in South Korea, as worries grow over data privacy linked to this Chinese AI service.

As global reliance on AI technologies continues to increase, companies are becoming increasingly vigilant in protecting their sensitive data. This action reflects a broader trend among firms to prioritize information security amidst the rising use of AI applications.

Impact on Employees

Employees at Hyundai and its subsidiaries will now need to find alternatives for AI services that do not pose security threats. This could affect productivity and innovation, as teams may be restricted in the use of certain tools that could enhance their work processes.

Conclusion

Hyundai Motor Group's decision to block access to DeepSeek highlights the growing concern around data security related to foreign technology services. The company's move is a part of a larger initiative to safeguard sensitive information against potential breaches, particularly in the context of increasingly complex digital landscapes.

Hyundai, AI, DeepSeek