UK security chiefs are sounding alarms over Chinese AI company DeepSeek, with 81% of CISOs urging immediate government regulation. The findings come from a survey of 250 CISOs by Absolute Security, which suggests rising fears that unregulated AI could trigger a national cybersecurity crisis.

According to the survey, 34% of CISOs have banned AI tools entirely, while 30% have halted specific deployments due to safety concerns. DeepSeek’s ability to expose sensitive data and accelerate cyberattacks is a primary worry. Sixty percent expect cyberattacks to increase, and 42% now see AI as more dangerous than helpful.

Andy Ward of Absolute Security warned that platforms like DeepSeek are outpacing corporate defence systems, creating a readiness gap. Nearly half of CISOs said their teams are unprepared for AI-powered attacks. Without regulation, many fear significant economic disruption.

Still, companies are not walking away from AI. Instead, 84% are hiring AI specialists, and 80% are training executives to build in-house expertise. The strategy is to balance innovation with caution.

CISOs are urging the government to step in, stressing that AI should be enabled safely, not restricted. They argue that strong regulation, clear rules, and talent pipelines are needed to avoid AI becoming a catalyst for crisis.