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. As part of our series on AI innovation, we delve into the power of curiosity-driven research and its global impact. This article takes you behind the scenes to explore the man behind DeepSeek, his ideology, and his journey.
DeepSeek's Meteoric Rise
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. DeepSeek's R1 model was trained at a fraction of the cost of mainstream models such as OpenAI's ChatGPT, yet it has demonstrated remarkable capabilities. The breakthrough has drawn criticism from some AI experts, who describe it as counterproductive to U.S. attempts to curb China's high-tech ambitions.
Within days of its launch last Monday, 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 the 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
While DeepSeek captures global attention, its founder, Liang Wenfeng, remains an enigmatic figure. Liang 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.
Philosophy of 'Long-Termism'
For Liang, DeepSeek is more than a business venture; it is a passion project fueled by deep curiosity and a commitment to foundational research. He acknowledges that basic research often yields low immediate returns on investment, but he is captivated by the challenge of exploring complex fields like finance and the potential of AGI. Liang focuses 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 Global Impact
Liang's innovative approach has not gone unnoticed. 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.
As DeepSeek continues to challenge the status quo in the AI industry, Liang's vision of long-term, curiosity-driven research may pave the way for future breakthroughs. His commitment to advancing AI technology while maintaining a humble profile adds a layer of intrigue to his already fascinating journey.
Looking Ahead
The rise of DeepSeek and the enigmatic figure of Liang Wenfeng highlight the dynamic and influential role of Asia in the global technological landscape. As debates continue about technological advantages and global competition, Liang's story serves as a reminder of the power of innovation driven by passion and curiosity.
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Behind China's rising AI startup DeepSeek: Who is Liang Wenfeng?
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