The Political Economy of Artificial Intelligence

This study argues that AI technologies, as exemplified by DeepSeek, must be examined not only in terms of economic efficiency and cost advantages but also through the lenses of data ownership, surveillance, ethical responsibility, and global inequalities. Rather than adopting a merely critical perspective, the study embraces a critical stance to analyze the societal implications of DeepSeek and similar AI applications. It draws upon current academic research in critical theory, political economy, and communication studies to explore how the rapid adoption of AI is deeply intertwined with broader social, economic, and political dynamics. In this context, the future of AI is not merely a technological issue, but a normative one, the protection of data privacy, the design of systems for the public good, and the fair distribution of benefits must be safeguarded through democratic governance. The impacts of DeepSeek and similar systems will ultimately be shaped by how these fundamental questions are addressed.