Behind China's Rising AI Startup DeepSeek: Who is Liang Wenfeng?
In the bustling tech hub of Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, a new player in artificial intelligence is making waves. DeepSeek, a cutting-edge AI lab founded by hedge fund manager Liang Wenfeng, has captured global attention 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, DeepSeek's breakthrough is not only a technological marvel but also a statement of China's growing influence in the AI sector.
Last Monday, DeepSeek unveiled the R1 model along with a detailed paper outlining an innovative approach to training large-scale reinforcement learning 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 even the once-dominant ChatGPT.
The rapid ascent of DeepSeek has ignited a heated debate in Silicon Valley about the shifting landscape of AI innovation. Many experts are questioning whether better-resourced U.S. AI companies can maintain their technological advantage in the face of such agile competitors. Critics describe DeepSeek's rise as a challenge to attempts at curbing China's high-tech ambitions.
Amidst this global discussion, the spotlight turns to the man behind DeepSeek—Liang Wenfeng. A graduate of Zhejiang University with a degree in Artificial Intelligence, Liang co-founded the quantitative hedge fund High-Flyer in 2016. High-Flyer quickly gained recognition for its innovative use of AI-driven trading strategies, and by 2021, it had fully integrated AI into its operations.
In May 2023, driven by a deep curiosity and commitment to foundational research, Liang established DeepSeek. Unlike traditional for-profit ventures, DeepSeek focuses on long-term, fundamental research aimed at advancing the field of artificial general intelligence (AGI). For Liang, DeepSeek is more than a company; it's a platform where curiosity-driven exploration can drive meaningful advancements in AI, regardless of immediate commercial returns.
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. In these rare interviews, he shares his philosophy and vision for AI. \"Understanding the essence of human intelligence is crucial,\" Liang says. \"Despite the lack of immediate commercial incentives, exploring these complexities is essential for the future of AI.\"
Last week, Liang's influence reached new heights 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 on a draft government work report. Liang's participation highlights the significance of DeepSeek's contributions to China's technological landscape.
As DeepSeek continues to rise, its impact extends beyond China's borders. The startup's success story resonates with global readers, business professionals, academics, and tech enthusiasts alike. From Hangzhou to Silicon Valley, DeepSeek embodies the dynamic and influential role Asia plays in global affairs, especially in the ever-evolving field of artificial intelligence.
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Behind China's rising AI startup DeepSeek: Who is Liang Wenfeng?
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