An artificial intelligence lab based in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, has captured global attention with the release of its state-of-the-art AI model. Trained at a fraction of the cost of mainstream models like OpenAI's ChatGPT, DeepSeek's breakthrough has stirred conversations in Silicon Valley and beyond.
Founded by hedge fund manager Liang Wenfeng, DeepSeek unveiled its R1 model last Monday. The release was accompanied by a detailed paper explaining how to train a large-scale reinforcement learning model without relying on supervised fine-tuning as a preliminary step. This innovative approach has drawn both admiration and criticism, with some experts describing it as a challenge to efforts aimed at curbing China's high-tech ambitions.
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 rapid ascent of DeepSeek has ignited a heated debate in Silicon Valley about whether well-established U.S. AI companies, including Meta and OpenAI, can maintain their technological edge.
Liang Wenfeng: The Visionary Behind DeepSeek
Graduating from Zhejiang University with a degree in Artificial Intelligence, Liang Wenfeng has always been at the forefront of technological innovation. In 2016, he co-founded the quantitative hedge fund High-Flyer, which quickly gained recognition for its pioneering use of AI-driven trading strategies. By 2021, High-Flyer had fully integrated AI into its operations, utilizing machine learning models to predict market trends and make data-driven investment decisions.
In May 2023, Liang embarked on a new journey by founding DeepSeek, focusing on advancing 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 lead to meaningful advancements in AI.
Embracing 'Long-Termism' in AI Research
For Liang, DeepSeek represents more than a business venture—it's 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, yet he is captivated by the challenge of exploring complex fields like finance and the potential of AGI. Liang believes that understanding the essence of human intelligence and the processes that underlie it is crucial, despite the lack of immediate commercial incentives.
Liang's low-profile nature has added to the intrigue surrounding him and DeepSeek. He has granted interviews only to Anyong, a sub-brand of China's commercial tech media 36Kr, offering rare insights into his philosophy and vision for the future of AI.
A New Chapter in Global AI Competition
Last week, Liang 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 underscores the significance of DeepSeek's developments in the broader context of China's technological ambitions.
As DeepSeek continues to make waves in the AI community, its rise marks a new chapter in the global competition for technological leadership. With innovators like Liang Wenfeng at the helm, China's role in shaping the future of artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly influential.
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Behind China's rising AI startup DeepSeek: Who is Liang Wenfeng?
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