Editor's note: In the realm of artificial intelligence, Liang Wenfeng and his creation, DeepSeek, are emerging as a mysterious force from the East. This article delves into the power of innovation and its global impact by exploring the man behind DeepSeek, his ideology, and his journey.
In Hangzhou, in east China's Zhejiang Province, an artificial intelligence lab named DeepSeek is capturing global attention. Founded by hedge fund manager Liang Wenfeng, DeepSeek has released a state-of-the-art AI model, trained at a fraction of the cost of mainstream models like OpenAI's ChatGPT. This breakthrough has ignited discussions worldwide, with some AI experts debating its impact on the technological balance between China and the United States.
Last Monday, DeepSeek unveiled its R1 model, accompanied by a detailed paper outlining a novel 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 the once-dominant ChatGPT.
The release of the R1 model has sparked debates in Silicon Valley about whether well-resourced U.S. AI companies 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.
About Liang Wenfeng
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, using machine learning models to predict market trends and make data-driven investment decisions.
In May 2023, Liang founded DeepSeek, aiming to advance 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.
Despite his growing influence, Liang has remained low-profile, granting interviews only to Anyong, a sub-brand of China's commercial tech media 36Kr, in 2023 and 2024. These interviews offer a glimpse into his philosophy and vision.
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, believing that such exploration is crucial despite the lack of immediate commercial incentives.
As DeepSeek continues to push the boundaries of AI research, Liang's vision emphasizes patience, dedication, and a belief in long-term progress. His approach is a stark contrast to the fast-paced, profit-driven strategies often seen in the tech industry, highlighting an alternative path to innovation.
With the rapid ascent of DeepSeek and the spotlight on Liang Wenfeng, China's role in the global AI landscape is becoming increasingly significant. As the debates continue and new developments emerge, one thing is clear: DeepSeek is a name the world will be hearing more of in the realm of artificial intelligence.
Reference(s):
Behind China's rising AI startup DeepSeek: Who is Liang Wenfeng?
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