The Delhi High Court has underscored the risks posed by artificial intelligence, stating that AI is a powerful yet perilous tool, regardless of whether it is controlled by China, the United States, or any other entity.
The observation came as the court addressed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking to block access to the AI platform DeepSeek, developed by a Chinese company. The plea cited serious concerns over privacy and security since the platform’s launch.
A division bench asked the Union government’s representative to clarify its stance on the matter. When informed that the issue was still under consideration, the court postponed its decision, giving the government time to provide a clearer response.
During the proceedings, the bench questioned whether existing laws provided a statutory framework for blocking platforms like DeepSeek. The petition also called for public awareness initiatives on privacy risks associated with such AI tools and urged authorities to establish guidelines for restricting access.
At one point, the court expressed skepticism over the notion of absolute digital security. A judge remarked on the expansive nature of the dark web, emphasizing that a significant portion of online activity operates beyond the reach of conventional oversight.
The case, which has drawn multiple respondents including the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, CERT-In, and major tech firms like Google and Apple, is set for further hearing on February 20.