The 'nerd with a terrible haircut that nobody took seriously' who created DeepSeek… and is now invited to the top table of China's political elite after humiliating US tech giants

The success of Chinese firm DeepSeek has sent shockwaves through the artificial intelligence industry – bringing the world’s attention to its previously low-profile boss. 

More than $1trillion was wiped off the value of global technology stocks yesterday after DeepSeek’s advanced AI technology was revealed to the world – sparking panic that the West could fall behind in the AI arms race. 

Liang Wenfeng, a hedge fund manager, founded DeepSeek in the city of Hangzou with the proceeds of his…