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 explores the man behind DeepSeek, his ideology, and his journey.
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 criticism from many AI experts online, who describe it as counterproductive to attempts to curb China's high-tech ambitions.
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.
Behind the Vision: 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, quickly gaining recognition for 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.
DeepSeek's 'Long-Termism' Philosophy
For Liang, DeepSeek is more than a business venture; 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 is captivated by the challenge of exploring complex fields like finance and the potential of AGI.
\"Understanding the essence of human intelligence is crucial,\" Liang stated in an interview with Anyong, a sub-brand of China's commercial tech media 36Kr. \"Despite the lack of immediate commercial incentives, this exploration is necessary.\"
Liang's focus on long-termism reflects a belief that meaningful advancements in AI require patience and dedication to foundational principles. This approach positions DeepSeek not just as a competitor in the AI industry but as a pioneer exploring the frontiers of human knowledge.
A Rising Influence in Global AI
Liang's low-profile demeanor contrasts sharply with the impact DeepSeek is making on the global stage. 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.
As DeepSeek continues to challenge established AI giants, the world watches to see how this mysterious force from the East will shape the future of artificial intelligence. Liang Wenfeng’s journey underscores the dynamic nature of global technological innovation and highlights China’s growing role in this critical field.
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Behind China's rising AI startup DeepSeek: Who is Liang Wenfeng?
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