Tech founders are not known for ‘restraint’. But a transcript shows Liang Wenfeng is chasing an ultimate goal in AI, not short-term gains
[Liang Wenfeng](https://www.scmp.com/topics/liang-wenfeng?module=inline&pgtype=article)stands out for his insistence on staying in the background.
[DeepSeek](https://www.scmp.com/topics/deepseek?module=inline&pgtype=article)and quantitative hedge fund High-Flyer Quant has long been a reclusive figure.
But last week, a leaked transcript of a closed-door meeting with potential investors in May offered an unprecedented look into Liang’s strategy: one rooted in a philosophy of corporate restraint, low-margin pricing and open-source models.
On mainland Chinese social media, transcripts of the nearly four-hour discussion went viral, resonating deeply in a culture that traditionally values humility, discipline and long-term ambition over fast commercial cashouts.
While DeepSeek did not officially confirm the authenticity of the document, the leaked remarks gave the industry its clearest glimpse yet into the mind driving one of China’s most intriguing AI contenders.
Calculated, long-term sacrifice
Throughout the meeting, Liang repeatedly emphasised the concept of “restraint” as a core company vision, a principle reflected in DeepSeek’s open-source model and affordable pricing.