DeepSeek Founder Lian Wenfeng: A Local Hero in Guangdong
DeepSeek founder Lian Wenfeng is being hailed as a hero in the southern Chinese province of Guangdong, where he grew up and reportedly returned for the Lunar New Year, joined by bodyguards.
Wenfeng, a 40-year-old billionaire due to his hedge fund, High-Flyer, has gained even more admiration from locals following DeepSeek’s groundbreaking research. The study revealed that strong AI models could be constructed using fewer and less-powerful Nvidia chips, a discovery with significant implications in China where access to top-tier chips has been restricted.
Residents of Wenfeng’s native community shared with the Financial Times that he was a top student, a math prodigy, and hailed from a family of educators. Described as a lover of comic books and someone who excelled in academics, Wenfeng also had a passion for football. The community takes pride in his accomplishments, with one resident stating, “We’re very proud of him.”
Despite his success, Wenfeng has managed to stay out of the spotlight, avoiding public attention and scrutiny. This approach is understandable given the fate of high-profile Chinese CEOs like Jack Ma and Pony Ma, who faced government scrutiny after gaining too much visibility. It wouldn’t be surprising if Wenfeng continues to keep a low profile and stays in the background.
