Liang Wenfeng, the 40-year-old founder of DeepSeek, is rapidly becoming one of China’s most prominent figures in artificial intelligence (AI). Following his high-profile participation in a recent symposium with Premier Li Qiang, reports suggest that he is set to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping soon to discuss the role of AI in China’s economic and technological future.
The Rise of DeepSeek and Its Founder
Liang, a former hedge fund manager, co-founded DeepSeek in 2023 with a mission to develop cost-effective, high-performance AI models. The company has gained global recognition for its open-source large language model, DeepSeek V3, which has reportedly outperformed models developed by major Western firms like OpenAI and Meta.
DeepSeek’s breakthrough AI assistant, R1, trained on just 2,000 Nvidia H800 chips at a cost of around $6 million, has been a game-changer in the industry. This is a fraction of the billions invested by tech giants in the U.S., making DeepSeek one of the most efficient AI developers in the world.
Anticipation for Meeting with Xi Jinping
While no official date has been set, Chinese state media have indicated that Liang may meet Xi Jinping in the coming weeks. The discussions are expected to focus on AI regulation, technological innovation, and China’s strategy for global AI leadership.
Liang’s growing influence was evident when he recently participated in a policy meeting with Li Qiang, where he was one of the youngest attendees. His presence among senior policymakers highlights the Chinese government’s recognition of AI as a critical driver of economic growth.
Public and Industry Reactions
DeepSeek’s rapid rise has sparked both excitement and concern. In China, Liang has been celebrated as an “AI hero of Guangdong,” with millions discussing his achievements on Weibo. Meanwhile, in the West, DeepSeek’s progress has raised competitive concerns, particularly in Silicon Valley, where the affordability and performance of its models are seen as potential disruptors.
With the upcoming meeting with Xi Jinping, Liang is set to play a crucial role in shaping China’s AI policies. This could have significant implications for both China’s domestic AI development and its competition with the U.S. and other global tech leaders.