Scant information exists about Liang Wenfeng, the DeepSeek founder whose launch of a cheaper and more accessible AI technology this week prompted a rout on Wall Street. But Wenfeng is not your average tech geek: he does not play with the Silicon bros.
He’s not been seen on a yacht with Jeff Bezos. He didn’t mingle with other billionaires at Anant Ambani’s nuptials, nor peacock on Donald Trump’s inauguration stage. He’s unlikely to be pictured in a spacesuit, talking of his dream to visit new frontiers. Google search returns an image of Wenfeng in front of DeepSeek branding, the model of a junior accountant with clipped goatee, glasses and pinstripe suit. The portrait has since been discredited as a stock picture from an image library: in real life, Wenfeng looks less self-assured.