Editor's note: In the realm of artificial intelligence, Liang Wenfeng and his creation, DeepSeek, are emerging as a \"mysterious force from the East.\"
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 model, trained at a fraction of the cost of mainstream models such as OpenAI's ChatGPT. The breakthrough has drawn attention from AI experts worldwide, who describe it as a game-changer in the global AI landscape.
DeepSeek, founded by hedge fund manager Liang Wenfeng, unveiled its R1 model last Monday, accompanied by a detailed paper outlining how to train a large-scale reinforcement learning model 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 U.S., surpassing the once-dominant ChatGPT.
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.
Who is Liang Wenfeng?
Liang Wenfeng graduated from Zhejiang University with a degree in Artificial Intelligence. He co-founded the quantitative hedge fund High-Flyer in 2016, 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 took a bold step by founding DeepSeek, aiming at 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 startup; it's a vision 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.
Liang has remained low-profile, granting interviews only to Anyong, a sub-brand of China's commercial tech media 36Kr, in 2023 and 2024. In these interviews, he shared insights into his philosophy and vision, emphasizing the importance of long-term thinking in AI development.
Impact on the Global AI Landscape
The rapid ascent of DeepSeek's R1 model has sparked discussions about the shifting dynamics in the global AI industry. Experts are questioning whether U.S. AI companies can maintain their lead as innovators like DeepSeek emerge from the Chinese mainland. The R1 model's efficient training methods and impressive performance have challenged assumptions about resource requirements in AI development.
Liang's participation in a recent symposium in Beijing, where Chinese Premier Li Qiang sought opinions from experts across various sectors, underscores the significance of his work. His insights are contributing to national discussions on technology and innovation.
The Future of AI with DeepSeek
DeepSeek's approach embodies a philosophy of exploration and long-term commitment to advancing AI. By focusing on foundational research and challenging traditional methodologies, Liang Wenfeng and his team are carving out a unique path in the AI realm. Their work not only pushes the boundaries of technology but also inspires a reevaluation of what drives innovation in the industry.
As DeepSeek continues to evolve, the global AI community watches with anticipation. Will this \"mysterious force from the East\" reshape the landscape of artificial intelligence? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: Liang Wenfeng and DeepSeek are names to watch in the years to come.
Reference(s):
Behind China's rising AI startup DeepSeek: Who is Liang Wenfeng?
cgtn.com
