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 R1 model. Trained at a fraction of the cost of mainstream models like OpenAI's ChatGPT, the breakthrough has drawn both admiration and criticism from AI experts worldwide. At the helm of this innovation is the enigmatic founder, Liang Wenfeng, whose journey from hedge fund manager to AI pioneer is capturing global attention.
DeepSeek's Rise
DeepSeek, founded by Liang in May 2023, unveiled its R1 model last Monday, accompanied by a detailed paper outlining a novel approach to training large-scale reinforcement learning (RL) models without relying on supervised fine-tuning as a preliminary step. Within days, 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 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. Many experts describe DeepSeek's achievement as a challenge to the U.S.'s attempts to curb China's high-tech ambitions.
Liang Wenfeng: The Man Behind DeepSeek
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, employing machine learning models to predict market trends and make data-driven investment decisions.
In May 2023, Liang embarked on a new venture by founding DeepSeek, aiming to advance the field of artificial general intelligence (AGI). Unlike traditional for-profit enterprises, DeepSeek was envisioned as a platform for long-term, fundamental research, where curiosity-driven exploration fuels meaningful advancements in AI.
Philosophy and Vision
For Liang, DeepSeek is more than a business; it's a pursuit driven by deep curiosity and a commitment to foundational research. He acknowledges that basic research often yields low immediate returns on investment but remains captivated by the challenge of exploring complex fields like finance and the potential of AGI. Liang believes that understanding the essence of human intelligence is crucial, despite the lack of immediate commercial incentives.
Recognition and Influence
Liang has maintained a low profile, granting interviews only to Anyong, a sub-brand of China's commercial tech media 36Kr, in 2023 and 2024. 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. Liang's participation underscores his emerging influence in China's tech landscape.
Conclusion
As DeepSeek continues to make waves in the AI industry, the world watches closely to see how this \"mysterious force from the East\" will shape the future of artificial intelligence. With Liang Wenfeng at the helm, DeepSeek embodies a blend of innovation, ambition, and a commitment to long-termism that could redefine the global AI narrative.
Reference(s):
Behind China's rising AI startup DeepSeek: Who is Liang Wenfeng?
cgtn.com
