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 power of innovation and its global impact by exploring 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 attempts to curb China's high-tech ambitions.
DeepSeek, founded by hedge fund manager Liang Wenfeng, unveiled its R1 model last Monday, accompanied by a detailed paper outlining how to train a large-scale reinforcement learning model 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 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.
Meanwhile, 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.
About Liang Wenfeng
Liang Wenfeng graduated from Zhejiang University with a degree in Artificial Intelligence. He co-founded the quantitative hedge fund High-Flyer in 2016, 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 Wenfeng has remained low-profile, granting interviews only to Anyong, a sub-brand of China's commercial tech media 36Kr, in 2023 and 2024. Below are translated excerpts from these interviews, offering a glimpse into his philosophy and vision.
DeepSeek's 'Long-Termism'
For Liang, DeepSeek is more like a side project or hobby, 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.
“Our goal at DeepSeek is not just to create a product but to push the boundaries of what's possible in AI,” Liang said in an interview with Anyong. “We are committed to long-term research because we believe that true innovation requires patience and a willingness to explore the unknown.”
Liang's approach contrasts with the rapid product development cycles typical of the tech industry. By prioritizing foundational research over immediate profitability, DeepSeek hopes to make significant contributions to the field of AI that could benefit society in the long run.
The Road Ahead
The success of DeepSeek's R1 model has positioned the company as a formidable player in the global AI landscape. As debates continue over technological supremacy and innovation, Liang Wenfeng's vision for DeepSeek underscores the importance of curiosity and long-term commitment in driving progress.
“Innovation doesn’t happen overnight,” Liang remarked. “It’s about dedication, a passion for knowledge, and the courage to venture into uncharted territory.”
As DeepSeek continues its journey, all eyes are on how this mysterious force from the East will shape the future of artificial intelligence.
Reference(s):
Behind China's rising AI startup DeepSeek: Who is Liang Wenfeng?
cgtn.com
