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Who Founded DeepSeek AI?

Liang Wenfeng

Who Founded DeepSeek AI?

DeepSeek AI is a prominent name in artificial intelligence. It was founded by Liang Wenfeng, a visionary entrepreneur and AI enthusiast from China. His journey from a financial trader to a pioneer in AI technology reflects his unique vision and determination to push the boundaries of innovation.

This article explores Liang’s background, the founding of DeepSeek, and his influence on the AI landscape.

Liang Wenfeng: Early Life and Career

Liang Wenfeng’s path to founding DeepSeek began at Zhejiang University, where he pursued studies that combined technical knowledge with a keen interest in financial markets.

  • Trading Experience: Liang started trading during the 2007-2008 financial crisis, an experience that honed his analytical skills and understanding of market dynamics.
  • High-Flyer Co-Founding: In February 2016, Liang co-founded High-Flyer, a company initially focused on leveraging AI for trading algorithms, providing it with a competitive edge in the finance industry.
  • Technical and Entrepreneurial Skills: His ability to blend technical expertise with entrepreneurial insight laid the foundation for the development of DeepSeek.

The Transition to DeepSeek

By 2021, High-Flyer had transitioned into a fully AI-driven trading firm. However, Liang’s vision extended far beyond finance:

  • Expanding Ambitions: Liang aimed to develop AI tools to address broader challenges in healthcare, smart cities, and cybersecurity.
  • Establishment of an AGI Lab: In April 2023, Liang launched an artificial general intelligence (AGI) lab under High-Flyer to focus on advanced AI systems.
  • Independence: By May 2023, this lab evolved into an independent entity named DeepSeek, signaling Liang’s determination to push AI innovation further.

The Role of Nvidia GPUs and U.S. Restrictions

Liang’s strategic foresight in acquiring computational resources played a vital role in DeepSeek’s success:

  • Massive GPU Purchases: Liang secured tens of thousands of Nvidia A100 GPUs, estimated to be between 10,000 and 50,000 units, before U.S. restrictions on AI chip exports to China.
  • Ensuring Competitiveness: These GPUs provided the computational power needed to train and deploy AI models, allowing DeepSeek to thrive despite geopolitical challenges.

Liang Wenfeng’s Vision for DeepSeek

Liang’s vision for DeepSeek revolved around making AI impactful, accessible, and innovative:

  • Open-Source Accessibility: Liang led DeepSeek in releasing its generative AI chatbot as open source, enabling developers worldwide to access, modify, and build on its code.
  • Affordable AI Models: In May 2024, DeepSeek launched DeepSeek-V2, an affordable yet high-performing AI model. Because of its market-disrupting affordability, it earned the nickname “Pinduoduo of AI.”
  • Market Impact: The launch of DeepSeek-V2 triggered a price war among major Chinese AI firms like ByteDance, Tencent, and Baidu. DeepSeek maintained profitability while competitors faced financial struggles.

Liang’s Influence on AI and Beyond

Liang Wenfeng’s leadership has significantly shaped both DeepSeek and the broader AI landscape:

  • Innovation: His ability to identify opportunities and implement cutting-edge solutions has positioned DeepSeek as a leader in AI.
  • Ethics and Collaboration: Liang emphasized ethical AI development, ensuring privacy, fairness, and collaboration through open-source initiatives.
  • Global Impact: His vision extends beyond technology. He aims to make AI a tool for global good in industries such as healthcare, finance, and urban planning.

Conclusion

The story of DeepSeek’s founding is closely tied to Liang Wenfeng’s entrepreneurial journey. From his early days as a trader to becoming a visionary AI leader, Liang’s contributions have transformed DeepSeek into a global force in artificial intelligence.

His dedication to innovation, ethical practices, and accessibility continues to shape DeepSeek’s legacy and its role in advancing AI worldwide.

Author
  • Fredrik Filipsson has 20 years of experience in Oracle license management, including nine years working at Oracle and 11 years as a consultant, assisting major global clients with complex Oracle licensing issues. Before his work in Oracle licensing, he gained valuable expertise in IBM, SAP, and Salesforce licensing through his time at IBM. In addition, Fredrik has played a leading role in AI initiatives and is a successful entrepreneur, co-founding Redress Compliance and several other companies.

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