Liang Wenfeng, the founder of the rising Chinese AI startup DeepSeek, has turned down lucrative investment offers, prioritizing his company’s independence over external influence, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal, as cited by Al Arabiya Business.
Despite the widespread popularity of DeepSeek’s chatbot, the company faces increasing operational challenges, along with regulatory restrictions from multiple countries over data security concerns. Meanwhile, the United States is considering banning its use on government devices.
Sources familiar with the matter revealed that Liang opposes the involvement of investors who could influence the company’s decision-making, including those linked to the Chinese government, as he believes such affiliations might hinder the global adoption of DeepSeek’s AI models.
The report also highlighted Liang’s commitment to preserving the scientific innovation that has positioned his company as a leader in the AI sector. He assured potential investors that his priority is not short-term financial gains but rather sustaining DeepSeek’s vision and ensuring the autonomy of its strategic decisions.
Source: The Wall Street Journal