Liang Wenfeng, the founder of DeepSeek from Guangdong, managed to surpass OpenAI with just 100 Chinese programmers.
With the slogan, “Chinese AI technology cannot remain a ‘follower’ forever,” the story of DeepSeek’s founder can be seen as a remarkable example of how an unknown individual transformed into a pioneer in the tech world. This story is filled with determination and innovation, highlighting the intense competition in the field of artificial intelligence.
Today, we introduce you to a pioneer in finance and artificial intelligence, Liang Wenfeng, the founder of two companies: “Huan Fang” and “DeepSeek.”
Who is Liang Wenfeng, the Founder of DeepSeek?
Liang Wenfeng is a young Chinese man from a modest family—his father was a teacher—who has not yet reached the age of 40. He is both a programming genius and an investment prodigy, which has allowed him to excel in both fields.
However, his journey was not always smooth. At times, the companies he managed faced financial difficulties. Yet, in May 2023, Liang Wenfeng, then 38 years old, announced that he would build a general artificial intelligence (AGI) system.
This marked the beginning of his rise, surprising the world with a Chinese AI model that competes with—and sometimes surpasses—the giants. Liang and his team of 139 researchers spent no more than $5.5 million to achieve this.
A user on the Chinese platform “Jike” commented on Liang, saying:
“Liang Wenfeng is one of the few whose leadership style has not been widely analyzed or studied. He is one of the best CEOs in the world.”
DeepSeek: The “Pinduoduo of AI”
DeepSeek is nicknamed the “Pinduoduo of AI” because it has significantly reduced the cost of training large models. For example, the cost of training the DeepSeek-V3 model was only $5.576 million, while OpenAI spent between $78 million and $100 million to train ChatGPT-4o. The cost difference between the two is at least tenfold.
The DeepSeek-V3 model outperformed ChatGPT-4o in areas such as mathematics, coding, and answering questions in Chinese, making it a highly cost-efficient model.
DeepSeek’s team consists of only 139 researchers, compared to OpenAI’s 1,200 researchers. Behind these significant achievements, Liang remains a mysterious figure due to his humility.
Liang Wenfeng’s Background
Let’s take a quick look at the biography and entrepreneurial journey of Liang Wenfeng, the founder of “Huan Fang” and “DeepSeek”:
- 1985: Liang Wenfeng was born in Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province.
- 2002: He enrolled at Zhejiang University to study Electronic Information Engineering.
- 2007: He earned a master’s degree in Information and Communication Engineering from Zhejiang University.
- 2008: He began exploring automated quantitative trading using machine learning techniques.
- 2010: He graduated with a master’s degree, and his thesis focused on “Target Tracking Algorithms Using Low-Cost PTZ Cameras.”
- 2013: He founded “Hangzhou Jacobi Investment Management” with his colleague Xu Jin.
- 2015: He established “Huan Fang Quant,” a quantitative trading company that quickly grew to become one of the largest in China.
- 2019: He founded “Huan Fang AI” and invested 200 million yuan in developing the deep learning training platform “Yinghuo-1.”
- 2021: Huan Fang’s managed assets reached one trillion yuan, but the company faced challenges due to market fluctuations.
- 2023: He founded “DeepSeek” and launched the DeepSeek-V2 model, outperforming many other models at a lower cost.
- 2024: He launched the DeepSeek-V3 model, achieving remarkable results in AI testing.
Liang’s Achievements:
- Cost Reduction: DeepSeek successfully reduced the costs of training large models, earning it the nickname “Pinduoduo of AI.”
- Technical Superiority: The DeepSeek-V3 model outperformed ChatGPT-4o in areas like mathematics and coding.
- Small Team: DeepSeek’s team comprises only 139 researchers, compared to OpenAI’s 1,200.
- Focus on Young Talent: The company relies on hiring fresh graduates who demonstrate creativity and innovation.
Liang’s Philosophy:
Liang believes that China must be a leader in technological innovation, not just a technology consumer. He is working on developing general artificial intelligence (AGI) and emphasizes the importance of originality in research and development.
Conclusion:
Liang Wenfeng is a pioneer in artificial intelligence and quantitative finance in China. Thanks to his visionary leadership and belief in the power of technology, he has led his companies to achieve significant milestones in a short time. Liang is a model of innovative leadership and determination to excel in the field of artificial intelligence.
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