China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has started using the Chinese AI tool ‘DeepSeek’ for non-combat support, particularly in military hospitals. The AI assists doctors in developing treatment plans and is also used in other civilian areas, according to media reports.
The Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported that DeepSeek’s open-source large language models (LLMs) are in use at PLA hospitals, the People’s Armed Police (PAP), and national defense mobilization units.
Earlier this month, the general hospital of the PLA Central Theatre Command announced the “embedded deployment” of DeepSeek’s R1-70B LLM. The hospital said that the AI provides treatment plan suggestions to support doctors, as per the South China Morning Post report. It also emphasized that patient data remains secure, with all information stored and processed on local servers.
Other PLA hospitals, including the PLA General Hospital in Beijing, known as “301 Hospital,” have also deployed DeepSeek. This hospital treats senior Chinese officials and military officers and handles sensitive personal data.
The PLA has previously stated that AI should assist but not replace human decision-making in military operations. In January, the People’s Liberation Army Daily` wrote, “As AI evolves, it must remain a tool guided by human judgment, ensuring accountability, creativity, and strategic adaptability remain at the forefront of military decision-making.” The article added, “AI must work in tandem with human decision-makers to optimise command effectiveness, enhancing rather than replacing human agency.”
DeepSeek’s latest AI models have gained attention for their lower computational requirements compared to established models like ChatGPT. The app recently overtook ChatGPT as the top-ranked free app on Apple’s App Store.
Analysts expect these AI models to be used in battlefield intelligence, surveillance, and decision-making by the Chinese military in the future.
Beyond military hospitals, China is promoting AI use in healthcare, manufacturing, and urban development. Some government agencies have also adopted DeepSeek models, including for anti-corruption efforts.
Units of the PAP, which operates under the Central Military Commission (CMC), have started using the AI for daily physical training and psychological counseling. The political work department of Hainan’s paramilitary force reported that soldiers used DeepSeek to manage anxiety and create exercise plans.
The PLA has previously supported the use of AI in military decision-making.
The PLA has been working to integrate high-end technology, including AI, into its operations. This includes improving drone swarm tactics, pilot training, and battlefield decision-making support.
In a report last month, the Chinese state-run Guangming Daily said that DeepSeek “is playing an increasingly crucial role in the military intelligentization process, ushering in a new chapter in the evolution of military intelligentization.” The report said DeepSeek can process large amounts of battlefield data in real-time, improving situational awareness.