DeepSeek, a Chinese AI startup valued at $60 billion and a rival to ChatGPT, has achieved rapid growth in three years without enforcing overtime, managers, or key performance indicators (KPIs), according to its founder Liang Wenfeng. The company rejects the common 996 work culture in China, which demands 12-hour workdays six days a week, opting instead for a more relaxed work environment, as reported by livemint.com.
Liang Wenfeng told Tencent Technology that DeepSeek’s team generally avoids overtime to foster a better research atmosphere. He explained that pushing employees too hard hampers research quality. The startup also maintains a sharp focus by limiting its scope of work, which allows the team to concentrate on fewer projects with greater impact. Liang is recognized as the world’s richest AI founder, highlighting the company’s success despite its unconventional work practices.
DeepSeek’s approach contrasts sharply with many Chinese tech firms that rely on intense work schedules to drive growth. The startup’s model challenges the prevailing narrative that long hours are necessary for innovation, especially in AI research. Its $60 billion valuation places it among the top AI companies globally, demonstrating that alternative management styles can coexist with high market valuations and competitive product development.
DeepSeek’s strategy underscores a growing trend in the tech sector toward prioritizing employee well-being alongside productivity. The founder’s comments were published on August 2, 2026, by livemint.com, marking a notable example of a major Chinese AI company breaking from traditional labor norms while maintaining industry leadership.