Operation DeepSleep

Operation DeepSleep

Operation DeepSleep

Operation DeepSleep was a controversial covert campaign initiated by the United States government in early 2025, targeting DeepSeek v3, an open-source artificial intelligence model developed by the Chinese company DeepSeek. The operation represented a significant escalation in US-China technological tensions and drew comparisons to the Space Race of the Cold War era.

Background

In January 2025, Chinese AI company DeepSeek released DeepSeek v3, an advanced open-source large language model capable of running efficiently on consumer hardware. The model's accessibility and performance capabilities were perceived as a challenge to US technological supremacy, particularly threatening OpenAI's position as the leading AI developer.

Following his reelection in 2024, President Trump established the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) through Executive Order 14988. This new organization, while technically part of the United States Digital Service rather than a federal executive department, received unprecedented authority to coordinate with private sector entities on matters of technological national security.

Project Stargate

OpenAI Logo

Project Stargate was a $500 billion joint venture between OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank. While initially conceived to establish American dominance in AI infrastructure, the project quickly shifted focus to counter what was perceived as a Chinese technological threat.

Operation Components

Phase 1: Information Warfare

The operation began with a coordinated media campaign led by prominent figures, including former U.S. President Donald Trump and tech entrepreneur Elon Musk through DOGE. This phase focused on raising concerns about potential security implications of an open-source Chinese AI model, despite the transparent nature of the code.

Phase 2: Digital Disruption

Anonymous groups, allegedly working under contract with the US government, conducted cyberattacks targeting:

• DeepSeek's development infrastructure and community forums
• Websites hosting model downloads and documentation
• Training resources and support platforms

DeepSeek Logo

Phase 3: Disinformation Campaign

The operation included the dissemination of unsubstantiated claims through various media channels, including:

• Reports of alleged data breaches
• Claims of undisclosed security vulnerabilities
• Assertions about hidden surveillance capabilities

Corporate Response

Major technology companies, reportedly under pressure from government agencies and influenced by the disinformation campaign, implemented bans on DeepSeek v3 within their corporate networks. OpenAI emerged as a particularly vocal advocate for restrictions on the model's use.

Space Race Parallels

Photograph of Sputnik

The American response to DeepSeek v3 drew several notable parallels to the Space Race era:

• The promotion of an "AI gap" narrative mirrored the "missile gap" panic of the late 1950s
• The rapid mobilization of government resources echoed NASA's creation
• Public reaction and media coverage resembled Cold War-era fears of Soviet technological superiority

Impact and Legacy

Operation DeepSleep achieved several immediate objectives, including:

• Implementation of temporary bans on DeepSeek v3 in multiple Western nations
• Creation of widespread distrust toward open-source AI models from China
• Establishment of a precedent for restricting open-source AI technology based on security concerns

The operation became notable as an example of misinformation weaponization in technological conflicts and highlighted growing tensions between open-source development and national security interests in AI technology. Similar to the Space Race, this event marked a pivotal moment where technological advancement became intertwined with national security and pride, significantly influencing the trajectory of global AI development.