DeepSeek Under Consideration to Power AI-Focused Weather Forecasting

China’s state weather agency, the China Meteorological Administration (CMA), is exploring the potential of DeepSeek, the local startup whose AI model made waves globally last month, to enhance its forecasting and observational capabilities.

During a 14 February meeting, the CMA discussed advancing the integration and application of DeepSeek’s AI technology to improve meteorological models.

DeepSeek’s lower-cost AI solution has been seen as a serious competitor to models from global players like OpenAI and Meta Platforms Inc.

However, some have raised doubts about the accuracy of the company’s claims.

With ambitions to become a "weather superpower," China is seeking to close the technological gap with leading meteorological institutions such as the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF).

AI integration into government meteorological services is seen as a critical step toward achieving these goals, aligning with long-term development plans set forth by entities like the State Council, the Ministry of Science and Technology, and the CMA.

Rising AI Star DeepSeek

The CMA is accelerating its efforts to integrate AI into its operations.

In October, the agency released draft legislation addressing AI use in weather services, with a focus on regulatory concerns such as data security and algorithm transparency.

Additionally, last summer, the CMA established an institute in Hebei province dedicated to driving innovation in weather-related AI technologies.

This growing enthusiasm for DeepSeek comes amidst a broader shift in Beijing’s stance toward its domestic tech sector, signalling a renewed embrace of local companies more than four years after the government’s regulatory crackdown on major tech giants began in late 2020.

Notably, the Hang Seng Tech Index has risen by 25% since the start of the year, reflecting this changing dynamic.