Unveiling DeepSeek: The Rise of China's AI Innovator Liang Wenfeng
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. In this article, we take you behind the scenes to explore the man behind DeepSeek, his ideology, and his journey.
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 such as OpenAI's ChatGPT. The breakthrough has drawn criticism from many AI experts online, who describe it as counterproductive to the U.S.'s attempt to curb China's high-tech ambitions.
DeepSeek's Revolutionary R1 Model
DeepSeek, founded by hedge fund manager Liang Wenfeng, unveiled its R1 model last Monday. Accompanied by a detailed paper, the release outlines 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 U.S., surpassing the once-dominant ChatGPT.
The release of DeepSeek's R1 model 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.
The Man Behind the Innovation: 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.
Embracing Long-Termism
For Liang, DeepSeek is more than a business endeavor; it's a pursuit 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.
A Growing Influence
Liang has become a focal point of discussion 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—including education, science, culture, health, and sports—on a draft government work report.
Despite his rising prominence, Liang has remained low-profile, granting interviews only to Anyong, a sub-brand of China's commercial tech media 36Kr, in 2023 and 2024. These rare glimpses into his philosophy and vision highlight a leader deeply committed to innovation and the pursuit of knowledge.
The Future of AI with DeepSeek
As DeepSeek continues to challenge industry giants and push the boundaries of AI research, the global community watches with keen interest. Liang's approach emphasizes long-term thinking and foundational exploration, potentially reshaping how AI advancements are pursued worldwide.
With the R1 model's success and DeepSeek's rapid ascent, China's role in the global AI landscape appears more influential than ever. The rise of Liang Wenfeng and DeepSeek symbolizes a shift in technological innovation, one that values deep research and a commitment to understanding intelligence at its core.
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Behind China's rising AI startup DeepSeek: Who is Liang Wenfeng?
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