Rumors are swirling that Chen Guangyu, a 17-year-old AI prodigy who previously contributed to the Kimi team at Moonshot AI, is on the verge of joining the U.S.-based AI startup Discovery Loop. This startup, slated for launch in August 2026, boasts a founding team composed of seasoned technical experts from the Google ecosystem. Its mission is to develop AI tools capable of engaging in scientific and engineering research, with the goal of accelerating the resolution of complex scientific and engineering challenges by automating research experimental processes. However, this rumor remains unconfirmed by Chen Guangyu himself.

Born in 2009, Chen Guangyu embarked on his journey into large model technology in 2025. He quickly garnered industry attention with his insightful technical analysis articles and secured a summer internship at an overseas AI startup. Upon completing his internship, he returned to China and joined the Kimi team. In March 2026, he co-authored a paper as one of the lead authors. This technology subsequently became a cornerstone supporting the Kimi K3 large model, drawing widespread attention from the industry.

Previously, Chen Guangyu publicly announced his departure from the Kimi team but kept his next destination under wraps, merely stating that he would continue to explore new frontiers. In response to a job offer from an Anthropic researcher, he hinted at his plans to head to the Silicon Valley Bay Area, further fueling speculation about his future endeavors.