An artificial intelligence lab based in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, has captured global attention with the release of its state-of-the-art AI model. DeepSeek, founded by hedge fund manager Liang Wenfeng, has introduced its R1 model, trained at a fraction of the cost of mainstream models like OpenAI's ChatGPT. The breakthrough has sparked discussions about the shifting dynamics in the global AI landscape.
DeepSeek's R1 model was unveiled last Monday, accompanied by a detailed paper outlining a novel approach to training large-scale reinforcement learning models without relying on supervised fine-tuning as a preliminary step. Within days, DeepSeek's app soared to the top of the iPhone free app charts in both China and the U.S., surpassing the once-dominant ChatGPT.
The release has ignited debates in Silicon Valley about whether established U.S. AI companies, including Meta and OpenAI, can maintain their technological advantage. The cost-effective and efficient training methods employed by DeepSeek have challenged assumptions about resource requirements in AI development.
Meanwhile, Liang Wenfeng has become a prominent figure in China. Last week, he was invited to a symposium in Beijing, where Chinese Premier Li Qiang sought opinions and suggestions from experts, entrepreneurs, and representatives across various sectors on a draft government work report.
About Liang Wenfeng
Liang Wenfeng graduated from Zhejiang University with a degree in Artificial Intelligence. In 2016, he co-founded the quantitative hedge fund High-Flyer, which quickly gained recognition for its innovative use of AI-driven trading strategies. By 2021, High-Flyer had fully integrated AI into its operations, using machine learning models to predict market trends and make data-driven investment decisions.
In May 2023, Liang founded DeepSeek, aiming to advance the field of artificial general intelligence (AGI). Unlike traditional for-profit ventures, DeepSeek was envisioned as a platform for long-term, fundamental research, where curiosity-driven exploration could drive meaningful advancements in AI.
Liang has remained low-profile, granting interviews only to Anyong, a sub-brand of China's commercial tech media 36Kr, in 2023 and 2024. In these interviews, he shared insights into his philosophy and vision, emphasizing the importance of foundational research and a commitment to exploring complex fields like finance and AGI.
DeepSeek's Long-Term Vision
For Liang, DeepSeek represents a passion project driven by deep curiosity and a commitment to foundational research. He acknowledges that basic research often yields low immediate returns on investment but is captivated by the challenge of exploring the essence of human intelligence. Liang believes that such exploration is crucial despite the lack of immediate commercial incentives, aiming to contribute significantly to the understanding and development of AGI.
Reference(s):
Behind China's rising AI startup DeepSeek: Who is Liang Wenfeng?
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