A year after the China-based generative AI model DeepSeek made international headlines, its footprint has grown significantly, including in parts of the Global South, potentially shaping political information environments and competitive dynamics in AI adoption.
Drawing on data such as Microsoft’s AI adoption report and Freedom House indicators, Sarah Cook’s UnderReported China writeup on Substack maps DeepSeek’s market penetration alongside democratic resilience measures and explores what broader reach means for different governance systems.