TOP 10 – AI LEADERS IN APAC

POSITION: CEO COMPANY: DEEPSEEK HEADQUARTERS: HANGZHOU, CHINA

Liang founded Chinese AI firm Deepseek in 2023 after previously founding a hedge fund. In January of 2025, DeepSeek made global headlines when it released DeepSeek R1, which cost far less than key US models to create. The model was widely considered a serious rival to OpenAI’ s ChatGPT, while US President Donald Trump described it as a“ wake up call” stressing its industries needed to be“ laser-focused”. The company positions itself as dedicated to advancing AI research and development and not overly focused on profits. The Guardian reports that Liang is personally involved in DeepSeek’ s research and has spoken about how he prefers to hire local talent rather than workers who have studied in the US or overseas. Liang previously told Chinese state media:“ We see that China’ s AI cannot remain in a follower position forever.”

DeepSeek’ s founder Liang Wenfeng’ s net worth revealed

42 August 2026