In the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence, DeepSeek, an AI lab based in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, has captured global attention with its latest innovation. Founded by hedge fund manager Liang Wenfeng, DeepSeek released its state-of-the-art R1 model, trained at a fraction of the cost of mainstream models like OpenAI's ChatGPT. This groundbreaking achievement has sparked intense discussions among AI experts and industry leaders alike.
DeepSeek's R1 model made headlines last Monday, not only for its advanced capabilities but also for its cost-effective training process. The release was accompanied by a comprehensive paper detailing how to develop a large-scale reinforcement learning model without the need for supervised fine-tuning as an initial step. This approach has been praised by some as a significant advancement in AI research, while others have criticized it as potentially undermining efforts to limit high-tech advancements.
Within days of its launch, DeepSeek's application climbed to the top of the iPhone free app charts in both China and the United States, surpassing the previously dominant ChatGPT. This rapid ascent has ignited a heated debate in Silicon Valley about whether well-funded U.S. AI companies, including Meta and OpenAI, can retain their technological edge in the face of emerging competition.
Liang Wenfeng has emerged as a central figure in these discussions. Recently invited to a symposium in Beijing, Liang provided insights alongside other experts, entrepreneurs, and representatives from various sectors, including education, science, culture, health, and sports. Chinese Premier Li Qiang sought their opinions and suggestions on a draft government work report, highlighting Liang's growing influence in the AI landscape.
About Liang Wenfeng
Liang Wenfeng is an alumnus of Zhejiang University, where he earned 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, leveraging machine learning models to anticipate market trends and make informed investment decisions.
In May 2023, Liang embarked on a new venture by founding DeepSeek, with the aim of advancing artificial general intelligence (AGI) through AI-focused research. Unlike traditional for-profit enterprises, DeepSeek was designed as a platform for long-term, fundamental research, driven by curiosity and a commitment to exploring the depths of AI without immediate commercial pressures.
Despite his significant contributions, Liang Wenfeng has maintained a low profile, granting interviews only to Anyong, a sub-brand of China's commercial tech media 36Kr, in 2023 and 2024. These interviews provide valuable insights into his philosophy and vision for the future of AI.
DeepSeek's 'Long-termism'
Liang views DeepSeek not merely as a business but as a passion project fueled by deep curiosity and a dedication to foundational research. He acknowledges that basic research often offers low immediate returns on investment but remains captivated by the challenge of delving into complex fields such as finance and the potential of artificial general intelligence (AGI). Liang is particularly focused on understanding the essence of human intelligence and the underlying processes that drive it, believing that this exploration is essential for meaningful advancements in AI, regardless of immediate commercial incentives.
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Behind China's rising AI startup DeepSeek: Who is Liang Wenfeng?
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