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 man behind DeepSeek, exploring his ideology and journey.
An artificial intelligence lab based in Hangzhou, eastern 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 like OpenAI's ChatGPT, DeepSeek's breakthrough has drawn attention and sparked debate among global AI experts.
Founded by hedge fund manager Liang Wenfeng, DeepSeek unveiled its R1 model last Monday. The release was accompanied by a detailed paper outlining how to train a large-scale reinforcement learning (RL) model without relying on supervised fine-tuning (SFT) 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.
From Finance to Artificial Intelligence
Liang Wenfeng 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, utilizing machine learning models to predict market trends and make data-driven investment decisions.
In May 2023, Liang took a bold step 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 drive meaningful advancements in AI.
DeepSeek's 'Long-Termism'
For Liang, DeepSeek is more than a business—it's a passion project 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.
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 on a draft government work report.
The Global AI Landscape
DeepSeek's rapid ascent highlights the dynamic and competitive nature of the global AI landscape. The company's innovative approach and cost-effective training methods challenge traditional models and offer new possibilities for AI development. As DeepSeek continues to grow, it underscores Asia's expanding role in shaping the future of technology and artificial intelligence.
Liang Wenfeng's journey from a hedge fund manager to an AI pioneer exemplifies the spirit of innovation driving Asia's technological advancement. His emphasis on long-term research and fundamental understanding serves as an inspiration for entrepreneurs, investors, and researchers worldwide.
Reference(s):
Behind China's rising AI startup DeepSeek: Who is Liang Wenfeng?
cgtn.com
