Editor's Note: In the realm of artificial intelligence (AI), Liang Wenfeng and his creation, DeepSeek, are emerging as a mysterious force from the East. This article delves into the man behind DeepSeek, his ideology, and his journey.
DeepSeek's Breakthrough in AI
An artificial intelligence lab based in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, has set Silicon Valley abuzz with the release of its state-of-the-art model. Trained at a fraction of the cost of mainstream models like OpenAI's ChatGPT, DeepSeek's R1 model has drawn global attention.
Founded by hedge fund manager Liang Wenfeng, DeepSeek unveiled its R1 model last Monday, accompanied by a detailed paper outlining how to train a large-scale reinforcement learning (RL) model without relying on supervised fine-tuning (SFT) as a preliminary step. Within days, DeepSeek's app soared to the top of the iPhone free app charts in both China and the United States, surpassing the once-dominant ChatGPT.
The release of R1 has ignited a heated debate in Silicon Valley about whether better-resourced U.S. AI companies, including Meta and OpenAI, can maintain their technological advantage. Meanwhile, Liang has become a focal point of discussion in China.
A Visionary Leader: Who Is 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.
DeepSeek's 'Long-Termism'
For Liang, DeepSeek is more than a business—it's 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, yet he is captivated by the challenge of exploring complex fields like finance and the potential of AGI. Liang's focus is on understanding the essence of human intelligence and the processes that underlie it, believing that such exploration is crucial despite the lack of immediate commercial incentives.
Recognition at the Highest Levels
Last week, Liang was invited to a symposium in Beijing, where Chinese Premier Li Qiang sought opinions and suggestions from experts, entrepreneurs, and representatives across various sectors—including education, science, culture, health, and sports—on a draft government work report. This invitation underscores the significance of his contributions to China's technological advancements.
The Future of AI Innovation
As DeepSeek continues to gain momentum, Liang remains focused on his mission to explore the frontiers of AI. His approach emphasizes long-term thinking and a dedication to foundational research, setting DeepSeek apart in a rapidly evolving industry. With the successful launch of the R1 model, Liang and DeepSeek are poised to play a significant role in shaping the future of artificial intelligence on both a national and global scale.
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Behind China's rising AI startup DeepSeek: Who is Liang Wenfeng?
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