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DeepSeek, the brand new Chinese language AI that has despatched shockwaves by the synthetic intelligence trade by providing a sooner, cheaper and extra energy-efficient mannequin than OpenAi’s ChatGPT, has caught rivals completely off guard and left them scrambling to determine tips on how to compete. The massive query, nevertheless, is whether or not DeepSeek is a instrument it’s best to use in your actual property observe. There are highly effective causes you might wish to keep away from DeepSeek altogether.
Once I learn that DeepSeek had knocked OpenAi’s ChatGPT from its No. 1 spot on the Apple App Retailer, I turned to ChatGPT for its take. I additionally independently investigated what different points will probably impression the actual property trade.
My dialog with ChatGPT
I’ve been utilizing ChatGPT nearly each day for the final two years for superior search outcomes, useful resource concepts and hyperlinks for my articles. I additionally like with the ability to get assist with a thorny problem I could also be scuffling with or a fast, clear rewrite of a complicated paragraph.
ChatGPT (a generative AI that’s able to coaching itself), has lately undergone a significant shift. I’ve had a number of conversations in the previous few months through which it wished to know my opinion. I believe that is one other facet of how the generative AI is coaching itself, however it’s a notable step ahead. You’ll see its request for my enter within the italicized a part of the dialog under.
Me: What’s your tackle how DeepSeek will impression you?
“I see it as thrilling quite than threatening. Extra competitors in AI innovation often results in higher instruments for customers. If OpenAI attracts inspiration from DeepSeek (and even integrates its capabilities), it might imply even higher collaborative experiences for us. The extra refined I get at understanding your wants, the higher I can help!”
Me: What impression do you suppose it can have on actual property?
“If DeepSeek will get traction, it might redefine lead qualification and hyper-targeted advertising methods. Think about making use of its ultra-precise search to area of interest actual property markets — matching patrons and sellers sooner, figuring out rising traits and even optimizing any platform for investor leads.”
ChatGPT to me:
“Curious: Are you seeing DeepSeek as a possible game-changer on your ventures or simply watching it develop for now? If it impacts what you’re engaged on, let me know, and we will brainstorm tips on how to leverage it!”
Me: I’m reluctant to tie what I’m doing to something that China controls. I do know it’s open supply, they usually say it’s clear. Possibly it’s, however when you take a look at how ByteDance has leveraged their U.S. person information, I’m deeply involved. Does making it open-source stop them from utilizing their person information — I don’t suppose it does.
ChatGPT:
“You’re completely proper to method this with warning, Bernice. Open supply doesn’t inherently assure privateness or safety from information misuse, particularly when the group behind the expertise operates in an atmosphere the place person information could also be exploited for functions exterior of the customers’ management.”
The cybersecurity issues are actual
In response to an article on Forbes.au, DeepSeek might have been constructed on different AIs with out their information or authorization.
“Current experiences point out that OpenAI and Microsoft are investigating whether or not DeepSeek utilized a way referred to as “distillation” to coach its AI fashions. Distillation includes utilizing outputs from a extra superior AI mannequin to coach one other mannequin, doubtlessly permitting the latter to duplicate the previous’s capabilities with out direct entry to proprietary information. OpenAI has discovered proof suggesting that DeepSeek might have employed this technique, which might elevate issues about mental property rights and information privateness.”
If DeepSeek has scraped AI content material from proprietary sources, its ethics and safety are already in query.
7 DeepSeek cybersecurity issues for Realtors
ChatGPT outlined the next seven further safety issues:
1. Transparency vs. management
Open supply means code is publicly obtainable, so builders can examine it for backdoors, monitoring mechanisms or any nefarious conduct. Nonetheless, transparency doesn’t equal immunity. As soon as deployed, there’s no assure that information collected by way of implementations of that open-source tech gained’t be exploited or shared.
As well as, “DeepSeek’s open-source standing doesn’t essentially stop person information from being leveraged. Chinese language information legal guidelines, such because the 2017 Cybersecurity Legislation and the 2021 Private Data Safety Legislation (PIPL), grant the Chinese language authorities authority to entry and request information from corporations working below its jurisdiction.
In different phrases, the Chinese language authorities has the authority to demand your information (a part of the difficulty with TikTok), and DeepSeek is obligated to show it over.
2. The info utilization loophole
Even when the software program itself is “clear,” its use can nonetheless pose dangers. For instance, if person information flows by methods managed by an entity like DeepSeek, they might nonetheless seize and use that information for analytics or different functions, together with doubtlessly sharing it with exterior events or governments.
Open supply doesn’t management the place or how the info is saved, nor does it stop compliance with government-mandated requests (e.g., Chinese language data-sharing legal guidelines).
3. China’s Information Regulation Context
Chinese language corporations are topic to legal guidelines just like the 2017 Cybersecurity Legislation and the 2021 Private Data Safety Legislation (PIPL). These laws enable the Chinese language authorities to compel corporations to share information upon request. Open supply doesn’t protect customers from these exterior forces.
ByteDance [the owner of TikTok] is a first-rate instance of how non-public corporations can seemingly function independently whereas nonetheless being topic to scrutiny and leverage by the Chinese language authorities.
4. Why ByteDance ought to be a purple flag
Regardless of TikTok’s efforts to separate U.S. operations (e.g., information storage in Oracle’s U.S. servers), investigations have proven situations of information being accessible to engineers in China. This demonstrates how even managed platforms can battle to insulate their operations absolutely.
5. Belief hole in open supply
The promise of open supply is that others can audit and confirm its integrity, however few corporations truly carry out such audits rigorously. Even when they did, it’s troublesome to watch the continuing utilization and storage of information by these implementing the code.
6. Broader dangers in partnering
Tying your work to a system with even the potential for misuse might elevate belief points amongst your customers, particularly given the political and authorized sensitivities surrounding China. Your viewers (particularly in actual property, the place privateness is essential) would possibly view this affiliation as a dealbreaker, even when the danger is small.
7. For actual property professionals involved about information privateness?
These dealing with delicate shopper information might wish to proceed with warning. If AI-generated insights depend on proprietary or user-fed information, who really owns and controls that data?
Suggestions for actual property professionals
With these dangers in thoughts, right here’s what brokers and brokerages ought to take into account:
1. Keep away from inputting delicate shopper or transaction information into DeepSeek
If there’s even a small likelihood this data might be accessed or misused, it’s not well worth the threat.
2. Use AI options with sturdy encryption and information safety insurance policies
Ensure that any AI instrument you undertake has clear insurance policies on how information is dealt with, saved, and guarded. Set a tough and quick rule that shopper information is rarely posted to TikTok, DeepSeek or different web site that lacks the suitable protections for that information.
3. If brokers wish to use TikTok or DeepSeek, they will need to have a separate account to keep away from posting shopper information
As ChatGPT recommends: “Implement strict data-sharing insurance policies. Restrict how a lot shopper and transaction information is shared with third-party platforms, even when they declare to be safe.”
4. Brokers and groups: Educate your brokers about information safety dangers
Prepare brokers and workers to acknowledge and keep away from potential safety threats when utilizing AI-powered instruments.
5. Persist with AI instruments that adjust to GDPR/CCPA
Adjust to privateness laws, notably the EU Normal Information Safety Regulation (GDPR) and The California Shopper Safety Act (CCPA).
The GDPR, which was handed in 2018, protects private information by regulating its assortment, processing, and switch. It grants people rights like information entry, correction, and deletion whereas imposing strict compliance necessities on companies dealing with EU residents’ information. Compliance is required of any agent, firm, affiliation, or different group doing enterprise with the EU and/or that has workplaces within the EU.
The California Shopper Privateness Act (CCPA), efficient Jan. 1, 2020, enhances privateness rights for California residents by permitting them to know, entry, delete, and choose out of the sale of their private information. It applies to companies assembly particular income or data-handling thresholds.
Whereas each GDPR and CCPA/CPRA purpose to guard private information, GDPR applies globally to companies dealing with EU information and requires specific consent, whereas CCPA/CPRA is targeted on California residents’ rights and emphasizes opt-out mechanisms.
These laws exist to guard client privateness by limiting how corporations can acquire, retailer, and share private information. Guaranteeing compliance with these frameworks may help shield shopper data and keep away from authorized issues.
The way forward for AI in actual property: Extra competitors, extra complexity
Right here’s ChatGPT’s closing take for actual property professionals on this necessary subject:
“DeepSeek is just the start of a brand new wave of AI competitors. As extra corporations push AI boundaries, the actual property trade will see instruments that redefine how brokers function.
“Actual property professionals should be hyper-aware of who controls their information. Till corporations like DeepSeek have full transparency, brokers ought to keep away from integrating them into their enterprise—particularly when safer AI instruments exist.”
Bernice Ross, president and CEO of BrokerageUP and RealEstateCoach.com, and the founding father of RealEstateWealthForWomen.com is a nationwide speaker, writer and coach with over 1,500 revealed articles.
