The founder of the disruptive Chinese AI company, DeepSeek, Liang Wengfeng, made a rare appearance at a conference in Beijing. This public sighting marks his first since DeepSeek’s AI model significantly impacted the tech industry. Before DeepSeek emerged, the United States held a dominant position in artificial intelligence, boasting every top 10 AI company globally, positioning China as a formidable contender in the AI sector.
DeepSeek’s Disruption
DeepSeek’s unveiling of a powerful AI model that was not only revolutionary but also cost-efficient posed a direct challenge to OpenAI’s ChatGPT. This unveiling marked a pivotal moment that shook the tech industry’s foundation, leading to a significant drop in share prices for leading AI companies such as Nvidia, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, and Alphabet. While this disruption caused chaos in the Western tech landscape, Mr. Wengfeng opted to skip a global AI summit in Paris, contrasting with OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman’s presence and openness to collaboration with China.
Meeting with President Xi Jinping
Mr. Wengfeng’s appearance at a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping alongside prominent figures in China’s tech industry signifies a pivotal moment in China’s technological advancement. During this gathering, President Xi Jinping encouraged Chinese tech leaders to showcase their capabilities and exhibit confidence in China’s technological prowess and market potential. Analysts viewed this meeting as an acknowledgment of China’s need to bolster its private-sector tech firms to stay competitive with the United States in the global tech race.
The meeting with President Xi Jinping underscores the Chinese government’s strategic support for private-sector tech firms to enhance its technological capabilities. Christopher Beddor, the deputy China research director at Gavekal Dragonomics in Hong Kong, highlighted the necessity for the Chinese government to back these firms to effectively compete with the United States in the technological sphere. This partnership between the government and private sector reflects China’s commitment to closing the technological gap with the US, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and innovation in the ever-evolving tech landscape.
