China’s rapid adoption of artificial intelligence continues to make waves, with local governments and healthcare institutions increasingly integrating DeepSeek’s AI models to enhance efficiency and decision-making.

While some policies surrounding AI adoption have sparked controversy, such as a now-withdrawn corporate mandate requiring employees to marry, DeepSeek’s practical applications in public administration and healthcare are proving to be highly effective.

AI in Governance: Streamlining Public Services and Decision-Making

Local governments across China are actively incorporating DeepSeek into their daily operations, using AI to automate tasks, improve policy execution, and assist officials in decision-making.

In cities like Meizhou, the public service hotline has been enhanced with DeepSeek-powered AI, leading to a 28% reduction in average call waiting time and a 24% faster resolution rate. AI-assisted form filling and automated case routing have further streamlined bureaucratic processes, reducing the burden on human operators.

Similarly, in Wuxi, DeepSeek is being used in collaboration with the municipal political and legal affairs commission to provide quick and accurate legal advice on issues such as domestic violence prevention and the protection of minors. The AI-powered assistant helps grassroots community workers navigate complex policies, ensuring citizens receive reliable information.

In Shenzhen’s Futian district, DeepSeek has been deployed as "AI public servants," assisting with administrative tasks such as document formatting, ensuring over 95% accuracy in corrections. A civil servant from Hebei Province noted that DeepSeek’s ability to draft standardized government documents has freed officials to focus on policy design and decision-making. The AI’s vast database of policy terminology ensures that official communications remain precise and professional.

DeepSeek’s role in governance extends beyond efficiency—officials in cities like Zhengzhou and Laibin have been urged to actively study and master AI models to support policy analysis and problem-solving. The technology’s ability to rapidly process vast amounts of data provides officials with enhanced insights, leading to more informed decision-making.

AI in Healthcare: Enhancing Efficiency and Patient Care

Beyond government applications, DeepSeek is making strides in the healthcare sector, assisting hospitals with clinical decision-making and patient diagnostics. The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University has integrated DeepSeek into its electronic medical record (EMR) system, providing AI-assisted diagnostic and treatment support.

This implementation has reduced the workload of medical staff by minimizing repetitive documentation tasks, allowing doctors to spend more time on patient care and communication.

For patients, AI-assisted analysis supports physicians in reaching more comprehensive diagnostic conclusions, improving the clarity of medical information and enhancing treatment outcomes. While DeepSeek has proven valuable in accelerating administrative tasks and data processing, experts acknowledge that in areas that require deep professional experience and multidisciplinary expertise that cannot be addressed through mathematical models, DeepSeek still has its limitations.

Liu Wei, director of the Human-Machine Interaction and Cognitive Engineering Laboratory at Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications also added that while DeepSeek excels in text processing and data retrieval, it still lacks the comprehensive practical abilities of human professionals.

He noted that addressing these limitations is crucial for AI to achieve broader real-world applications and make an even greater impact on public service and healthcare.

Balancing AI’s Potential with Ethical and Legal Concerns

Despite its growing success, DeepSeek’s expansion has raised concerns about AI governance and regulation. While China is actively promoting AI integration in public services, international scrutiny has led several countries, including the U.S., Italy, Australia, and South Korea, to ban government use of the technology. South Korea has even removed DeepSeek from app stores due to censorship concerns.

As China continues to push for AI-driven innovation, the government is carefully balancing technological advancements with regulatory oversight. President Xi Jinping has endorsed the concept of AI-powered "smart cities," and DeepSeek's rising influence reflects the country's broader ambition to lead in artificial intelligence.

However, experts stress that AI should complement human expertise rather than replace it, ensuring that ethical considerations remain at the forefront of its deployment.

From governance to healthcare, DeepSeek is proving to be a powerful tool in enhancing efficiency, improving service delivery, and supporting professionals in their work.

As China continues its AI-driven transformation, the challenge remains in refining these technologies to fully integrate them into society while addressing their limitations and ethical implications.