In the fast-evolving world of artificial intelligence, Liang Wenfeng and his AI startup, DeepSeek, are making significant strides that have caught the attention of both China and Silicon Valley. Based in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, DeepSeek has recently unveiled its groundbreaking R1 model, which has been developed at a fraction of the cost of mainstream models like OpenAI's ChatGPT.
The release of the R1 model has sparked intense discussions among AI experts, with some criticizing it as \"counterproductive\" to the U.S.'s efforts to limit China's high-tech advancements. Despite the controversy, DeepSeek's app quickly climbed to the top of the iPhone free app charts in both China and the U.S., surpassing the once-dominant ChatGPT.
DeepSeek's innovative approach utilizes large-scale reinforcement learning without relying on supervised fine-tuning as a preliminary step, as detailed in their comprehensive whitepaper. This advancement has ignited debates in Silicon Valley about whether well-funded U.S. AI companies like Meta and OpenAI can maintain their technological edge.
Beyond the tech scene, Liang Wenfeng has become a prominent figure in China. Recently, he was invited to a symposium in Beijing hosted by Chinese Premier Li Qiang, where experts, entrepreneurs, and representatives from various sectors discussed the draft government work report.
About Liang Wenfeng
Liang Wenfeng is an alumnus of Zhejiang University, where he earned his degree in Artificial Intelligence. In 2016, he co-founded the quantitative hedge fund High-Flyer, which quickly gained recognition for its AI-driven trading strategies. By 2021, High-Flyer had fully integrated AI into its operations, leveraging machine learning models to predict market trends and make informed investment decisions.
In May 2023, Liang embarked on a new venture by founding DeepSeek, aiming to advance the field of artificial general intelligence (AGI). Unlike traditional for-profit enterprises, DeepSeek is dedicated to long-term, fundamental research, fostering curiosity-driven exploration to achieve meaningful advancements in AI.
Despite his rising prominence, Liang has maintained a low profile, offering interviews exclusively to Anyong, a sub-brand of China's commercial tech media 36Kr, in 2023 and 2024. These interviews reveal his commitment to what he calls DeepSeek's 'long-termism'.
DeepSeek's 'Long-Termism'
Liang views DeepSeek not just as a business venture but as a platform for deep curiosity and foundational research. He acknowledges that basic research may not yield immediate financial returns but believes that understanding the essence of human intelligence and the underlying processes of AGI is crucial for future advancements.
By prioritizing long-term goals over short-term gains, Liang aims to push the boundaries of what AI can achieve, positioning DeepSeek as a key player in the global AI landscape.
Reference(s):
Behind China's rising AI startup DeepSeek: Who is Liang Wenfeng?
cgtn.com
