The domestic competition for large-scale AI models is intensifying, and a statement from Tencent’s Hunyuan team about "working overtime to keep up with DeepSeek" has sparked widespread debate, highlighting key challenges within the industry. Tencent is under pressure from rivals such as ByteDance’s Doubao and DeepSeek in the AI sector and is keen to demonstrate its prowess in AGI infrastructure development. The company’s 28-year-old chief AI scientist is expected to drive innovation and break through internal bureaucratic constraints.

DeepSeek has achieved significant technological advancements at remarkably low computational costs through algorithmic innovation and极致 (ultimate) engineering efficiency. Its success underscores that breakthroughs in the AI era depend on high-intelligence-density innovation rather than merely extending working hours. Traditional tech giants, which rely on labor-intensive strategies and inefficient internal competition, have revealed shortcomings in their technical strategies and organizational effectiveness.

The real challenges for this young scientist stem from Tencent’s internal resource allocation, resistance from long-serving employees, and short-term KPI-driven organizational inertia. Engaging in an overtime race will only serve to conceal deeper strategic concerns. Technological progress in the era of large-scale AI models is highly nonlinear, prioritizing talent density and intellectual leverage over time-based accumulation.

For industry leaders to achieve an AI breakthrough, they must undergo profound organizational transformation, establishing a geek-friendly, flat, and efficient R&D system that leads with high-dimensional technological vision and pure foundational innovation.