Summary of Key Points
Li Kaifu was once known as the "Godfather of AI," a pioneer and early investor in China's AI field. However, with the advent of large-scale models, his company, ZeroOneAllThings, abandoned its vision for AGI (Artificial General Intelligence) and turned to providing enterprise AI solutions. Today, he more closely resembles a salesperson, leveraging his reputation as the "Godfather of AI" and a deep understanding of corporate executives' anxieties to sell AI products aimed at senior management, in an effort to achieve rapid profitability and go public in the B2B market. This shift has brought challenges such as staff turnover and skepticism from the younger generation. He is racing against time to avoid becoming one of the "old waves" in the AI era.
From "Pioneer" to "Salesperson": Li Kaifu's Rapid Change in Identity
In the past, Li Kaifu was a leading figure in the AI community—founding Microsoft Research Asia (MSRA) and investing in AI startups. However, to truly make a difference, one needs to take decisive actions, and he felt that his efforts were not sufficient, as Innovation Works failed to invest in cutting-edge projects in areas like large-scale models and embodied intelligence.
In 2023, he started his own company, ZeroOneAllThings, with the aim of pursuing AGI. However, the high costs associated with large-scale models (which require hundreds of millions for training) and allegations of model plagiarism dampened its prospects. In 2025, he decided to abandon the super-large-model approach and focus on providing enterprise AI solutions. His public speeches now focus more on tangible outcomes such as financial improvements and increased orders, and he even published a book titled "The Future of AI Has Already Arrived," clearly targeting anxious corporate executives.
ZeroOneAllThings' Transformation: From AGI Dreams to B2B Business
ZeroOneAllThings' transformation was forced:
- Initial Ambitions: The company was founded in 2023 with the goal of creating a Chinese version of OpenAI, releasing the open-source large-scale model Yi and achieving a valuation of over $1 billion.
- Reality Check: The high costs of large-scale models were too much for a startup to bear, and the controversy over model plagiarism damaged its reputation. As a result, it had to merge parts of its technology team with Alibaba and abandon its AGI aspirations.
- Current Focus: The company now focuses on providing AI solutions that integrate into core business processes (such as sales and decision-making) for enterprises, with plans to become profitable and go public by 2027. However, the capital market sees this approach differently from more traditional AI companies like Zhipu, which focus on model development.
In short, while it once aimed to be a revolutionary force in AI, it now simply aims to provide professional services.
Staff Turnover: The Gap Between Vision and Reality
Many key members of ZeroOneAllThings' team have left the company over the past two years, with at least eight senior executives (including four co-founders) departing. This is one of the most turbulent experiences among China's top AI startups. Why? Many employees were attracted by the potential of AGI to create transformative technology. When the company shifted to B2B business, there was a significant shift in focus and motivation.
This reflects the harsh reality of the AI industry: the elimination process is much faster than in the internet sector. Some companies (like DeepSeek) become successful stars, while others struggle to sell their products, and some simply fade into obscurity.
The Changing Times: Are Old-Timer Experts Still Valuable?
The younger generation is skeptical about Li Kaifu's 40 years of experience in AI:
- Different Approaches: Traditional AI involved teaching machines human rules (e.g., speech recognition), while modern AI relies on deep learning and large amounts of data and computing power. Experience from the past (e.g., 40 years of expertise in horse riding) does not equate to proficiency in new technologies like deep learning.
- New Talent: The majority of key roles in AI are filled by people under 40. As CEO, Li Kaifu personally engages in sales activities, such as receiving African clients during the Spring Festival, because only he has the connections to reach top corporate executives.
This shift highlights the challenge for AI companies: while some rely on their products (e.g., Zhipu's Tang Jie), others must rely on the CEO's personal network and reputation to make sales.
Leveraging Anxiety: Selling with the "Godfather" Image
Li Kaifu excels at tapping into executives' anxieties:
- Targeted Approach: He focuses on selling AI solutions to senior decision-makers, recognizing that corporate AI adoption requires top-down support.
- Fear-Making: His new book's title directly conveys a sense of urgency: "The AI Solutions Every CEO Must Consider," implying that not adopting his products will lead to being left behind by the times.
- Authenticity: He uses his status as the "Godfather of AI" to build credibility, as executives trust those with established authority.
This strategy has been effective, with orders exceeding 1.5 billion in the first half of 2026 and plans for profitability by 2027. However, it's a race against time—the AI industry is highly cyclical, and opportunities may come only every decade. At 64, time is Li Kaifu's most precious resource.
The Cost of Change: Compromises and Persistence
Li Kaifu's transition represents a shift from idealism to realism. He has given up on AGI and lost some of his team, but he has gained the chance to continue operating in the AI industry. Although he is no longer the pioneering figure he once was, becoming a salesperson may be the only way for him to survive in this rapidly changing landscape. In the fast-moving world of AI, survival is more important than maintaining a legendary status.