Who is Liang Wenfeng? Founder of DeepSeek Shaking Up AI Landscape

Liang Wenfeng, founder of DeepSeek, is challenging Western AI dominance.

  • Liang Wenfeng, founder of DeepSeek, is challenging Western AI dominance.
  • DeepSeek’s cost-effective, research-driven approach has made waves globally.
  • Liang’s open-source model and innovative AI vision are reshaping China’s tech ambitions.

Liang Wenfeng, the 39-year-old founder of DeepSeek, is quickly becoming a leading figure in China’s AI landscape. His company’s breakthrough AI model, DeepSeek-R1, has disrupted the global AI market, posing a challenge to Western giants like OpenAI and Google DeepMind.

Unlike many Chinese tech firms, DeepSeek focuses on original AI research, aiming to surpass the U.S. in AI innovation. Liang’s approach is gaining recognition, particularly in light of China’s AI ambitions and the country’s efforts to bridge the gap with the U.S. in advanced technology.

Liang’s journey from hedge fund co-founder to AI leader highlights his unconventional path. His decision to shift from finance to AI research laid the groundwork for DeepSeek’s launch in 2023. The company has committed to an open-source strategy, offering developers around the world the chance to modify and build on its AI models, challenging OpenAI’s closed-source approach.