In the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence (AI), a new player from the Chinese mainland is capturing global attention. DeepSeek, an AI lab based in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, has made waves with the release of its state-of-the-art R1 model. Founded by the enigmatic hedge fund manager Liang Wenfeng, DeepSeek is redefining AI development with innovative approaches that challenge industry norms.
DeepSeek's R1 model, unveiled last Monday, has been trained at a fraction of the cost of mainstream models like OpenAI's ChatGPT. Within days, the DeepSeek app climbed to the top of the iPhone's free app charts in both China and the United States, surpassing established names in the industry. This rapid ascent has sparked intense discussions in Silicon Valley about the future of AI technology and the ability of U.S. companies to maintain their competitive edge.
Who is Liang Wenfeng?
Liang Wenfeng, the visionary behind DeepSeek, is a graduate of Zhejiang University with a degree in Artificial Intelligence. He first made his mark in the financial sector by co-founding the quantitative hedge fund High-Flyer in 2016. High-Flyer quickly gained recognition for its innovative use of AI-driven trading strategies, fully integrating machine learning models to predict market trends and make data-driven investment decisions by 2021.
In May 2023, Liang founded DeepSeek with the aim of advancing research in artificial general intelligence (AGI). Unlike traditional for-profit ventures, DeepSeek is envisioned as a platform for long-term, fundamental research. Liang is driven by deep curiosity and a commitment to foundational exploration, believing that understanding the essence of human intelligence is crucial for meaningful advancements in AI.
Despite DeepSeek's growing influence, 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 rare interviews, he shared insights into his philosophy and vision, emphasizing the importance of \"long-termism\" in AI research.
Liang's approach to AI is unconventional. \"Basic research often yields low immediate returns on investment, but the potential for transformative breakthroughs is immense,\" he has stated. He is captivated by the challenges of exploring complex fields like finance and AGI, focusing on the underlying processes that drive human intelligence.
Impact and Recognition
Liang's work has not gone unnoticed by China's leadership. 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. Liang's participation highlights the significance of his contributions to China's technological ambitions.
DeepSeek's rise reflects the dynamic and rapidly advancing field of AI in the Chinese mainland. As the global community watches, companies like DeepSeek are poised to play a significant role in shaping the future of artificial intelligence.
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Behind China's rising AI startup DeepSeek: Who is Liang Wenfeng?
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