ITS News - February 2025

A Deeper dive into DeepSeek

You may have heard about the latest AI chatbot making waves—DeepSeek. Many reviews suggest it outperforms ChatGPT in several key areas. What makes this even more impressive is that DeepSeek achieves these results with significantly less computing power.

However, its rise hasn’t been without controversy. Developed by a Chinese company, DeepSeek has faced allegations of using unauthorized ChatGPT data—an ironic twist given the ongoing copyright disputes surrounding ChatGPT itself. There are also concerns that it could be used for spying on Americans, but given that DeepSeek is open-source, its code is publicly available for review, making such claims questionable.

Bottom line: If you're interested in exploring AI chatbots, you can download DeepSeek from the App Store without concern. That said, you might want to avoid sharing any top-secret military strategies—just in case!

Legislative Service: One Month In

I won’t provide a legislative update every month (I've got other forums for that), but this time I couldn’t think of anything else to write about (except to wish you all a Happy Valentine’s Day! Whether you have a special someone or not, treat yourself to a nice dinner and a drink—you deserve it!).

I’m honored to serve on the Commerce and Economic Development Committee, which was exactly what I had hoped for. Many of my customers are business owners, and I want to ensure policies support a strong business environment in Vermont. If you have policy concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Right now, all eyes are on school spending, but my committee does plays a role in education. Specifically, workforce development—helping businesses access a strong talent pool to grow and thrive. 

Testimonials Needed - Help us Expand!

IT Services is growing! We’re expanding into new areas of Vermont, with a focus on towns near the interstate. To help spread the word, we’re seeking testimonials from past and current customers. Here’s how you can help:

  • Write a Recommendation: A free-form testimonial—just a few sentences about why you’ve enjoyed working with us.

  • Answer a Few Questions: If you’re unsure what to write, we can provide a five-question survey and summarize your responses. You’ll get to review and approve it before it’s used.

  • Approve an Endorsement: Short on time? We can write a recommendation for you based on our interactions with you—just give us the thumbs-up to use it!

If you’re willing to help, please use the Contact Form and let us know which option works best for you. Thanks for your support!