In the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence (AI), a new player from the Chinese mainland is making waves. DeepSeek, an AI lab based in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, has caught the attention of Silicon Valley with its revolutionary R1 model. Founded by innovative hedge fund manager Liang Wenfeng, DeepSeek is challenging the status quo in AI development.
DeepSeek released its state-of-the-art R1 model last Monday, accompanied by a comprehensive paper detailing a novel approach to training large-scale reinforcement learning (RL) models without relying on supervised fine-tuning (SFT) as a preliminary step. This breakthrough has enabled DeepSeek to train its model at a fraction of the cost compared to mainstream models like OpenAI's ChatGPT.
Within days of its release, 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 success of DeepSeek's R1 model has sparked a heated debate in Silicon Valley about whether well-resourced U.S. AI companies can maintain their technological lead.
The Man Behind DeepSeek: Liang Wenfeng
Liang Wenfeng, a graduate of Zhejiang University with a degree in Artificial Intelligence, is the visionary behind DeepSeek. In 2016, he co-founded the quantitative hedge fund High-Flyer, which 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 with the aim of advancing the field of 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 research, focusing on understanding the essence of human intelligence and the processes that underlie it.
A Philosophy of 'Long-Termism'
For Liang, DeepSeek is more than just a company; it's a passion project driven by the challenge of exploring complex fields like finance and AGI. He acknowledges that basic research often yields low immediate returns on investment but believes that curiosity-driven exploration is crucial for meaningful advancements in AI. Liang's philosophy centers on the importance of foundational research despite the lack of immediate commercial incentives.
Liang has remained low-profile, granting interviews only to Anyong, a sub-brand of China's commercial tech media 36Kr, in 2023 and 2024. His approach emphasizes understanding and nurturing the underlying processes of intelligence, both human and artificial.
Last week, Liang's growing influence was recognized when he was invited to a symposium in Beijing. 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. Liang's participation highlights the significance of DeepSeek's contributions to China's technological ambitions.
The Future of AI Innovation
DeepSeek's rapid ascent underscores the shifting landscape of global AI innovation. As debates continue over technological advantages and resource allocation in AI development, DeepSeek's success story illustrates the potential for groundbreaking advancements outside traditional tech hubs. Liang Wenfeng's emphasis on long-term, curiosity-driven research may well inspire a new generation of AI innovators.
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Behind China's rising AI startup DeepSeek: Who is Liang Wenfeng?
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