Liang Wenfeng named among Time’s 100 most influential of 2025

DeepSeek founder Liang Wenfeng has been recognized by Time Magazine as one of the 100 most influential people of 2025, marking a shift in global AI leadership.

A new face in global tech reshaping the AI landscape

As artificial intelligence continues to redefine technological boundaries, Chinese entrepreneur Liang Wenfeng has emerged as a notable figure. The founder of DeepSeek, a Beijing-based AI startup, Liang was listed in Time Magazine's "100 Most Influential People of 2025" for his role in transforming the balance of power in the global tech industry. In its coverage, Time commented: "It took a while for Silicon Valley to comprehend exactly what Liang Wenfeng had achieved. But soon markets were reeling, US tech dominance was being openly questioned, and Liang had been propelled to global renown." His recognition comes amid growing competition in AI development and a shifting perception of technological leadership.

Fast-growing wealth puts DeepSeek’s founder in global spotlight

On March 27, Hurun Research Institute released its 2025 Global Rich List, which featured Liang Wenfeng for the first time. At age 40, he entered the rankings with a reported fortune of 33 billion yuan (approximately $44.9 billion). The wealth accumulation, while significant, is only one dimension of Liang’s rapid rise in the tech world. The trajectory of DeepSeek illustrates how emerging Chinese firms are increasingly carving space in areas long dominated by US-based companies.

Product success signals shifting user preferences

Founded in July 2023, DeepSeek Artificial Intelligence Fundamental Technology Research Co Ltd focuses on the development of large language models (LLMs) and supporting infrastructure. According to Xinhua News Agency, the company released an open-source model named DeepSeek-R1 on January 20. Within days, the model had topped Apple’s free app charts, surpassing OpenAI’s ChatGPT in downloads. The development underscored the growing appetite for alternative AI tools beyond Silicon Valley offerings.

Usage data reflects exponential adoption

On February 13, CCTV News reported that DeepSeek had become the fastest application to exceed 30 million daily active users. That momentum continued into March. According to QuestMobile, a leading Chinese mobile internet data firm, DeepSeek registered 194 million monthly active users that month—more than any other AI-based application in the market. The figures highlight not only the scalability of DeepSeek’s technology but also the widening base of its user engagement across China.

China's expanding role in the global AI race

The emergence of Liang Wenfeng and DeepSeek reflects a larger trend of Chinese tech firms expanding into innovation-heavy sectors. With AI playing an increasingly strategic role in shaping future economies, DeepSeek’s performance signals that China is aiming to redefine its position in the global tech ecosystem. Whether this momentum will sustain or translate to long-term influence remains to be seen, but Liang's inclusion in Time's prestigious list is a milestone worth noting in the evolving story of artificial intelligence.