In the rapidly evolving realm of artificial intelligence, China's DeepSeek is making significant waves by surpassing industry giants like ChatGPT. Founded by hedge fund manager Liang Wenfeng, DeepSeek has captured global attention with its innovative approach to AI development.
DeepSeek, based in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, introduced its groundbreaking R1 model last Monday. This state-of-the-art AI model was trained at a fraction of the cost of mainstream models such as OpenAI's ChatGPT, a move that has stirred both admiration and controversy among AI experts. While some praise the cost-effective innovation, others criticize it as a challenge to the U.S.'s efforts to maintain its technological edge.
Following the release of the R1 model, DeepSeek's app quickly climbed to the top of the iPhone free app charts in both China and the United States, overtaking ChatGPT. This swift rise has ignited a vigorous debate in Silicon Valley, with industry leaders questioning whether well-funded American AI companies like Meta and OpenAI can sustain their dominance in the face of DeepSeek's advancements.
Liang Wenfeng's journey to establishing DeepSeek is rooted in his strong background in artificial intelligence. A graduate of Zhejiang University, Liang co-founded the quantitative hedge fund High-Flyer in 2016, which gained recognition for its AI-driven trading strategies. By 2021, High-Flyer had fully integrated machine learning models to predict market trends, showcasing Liang's commitment to leveraging AI for strategic investment decisions.
In May 2023, Liang took a bold step by founding DeepSeek, aiming to advance general artificial intelligence (AGI) through long-term, fundamental research. Unlike traditional for-profit ventures, DeepSeek is designed as a platform for curiosity-driven exploration, focusing on the essence of human intelligence and the underlying processes that constitute it.
Liang's dedication to foundational research was highlighted when he was invited to a symposium in Beijing. Chinese Premier Li Qiang sought insights from experts, entrepreneurs, and representatives across various sectors on a draft government work report, underscoring Liang's influence in shaping China's AI landscape.
Despite his growing prominence, Liang Wenfeng remains low-profile, offering interviews exclusively to Anyong, a sub-brand of China's commercial tech media 36Kr. His philosophy of 'long-termism' emphasizes the importance of exploring complex fields like finance and AGI, even without immediate commercial rewards, reflecting his commitment to meaningful advancements in AI.
As DeepSeek continues to push the boundaries of artificial intelligence, Liang Wenfeng stands as a pivotal figure in China's quest to lead the global AI revolution.
Reference(s):
Behind China's rising AI startup DeepSeek: Who is Liang Wenfeng?
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