From DeepSeek to Kimi, China's open-source AI models have gotten all the attention. But open source has a much longer history in China, according to Kevin Xu, former head of global expansion strategy at GitHub. Kevin takes us on a journey through China's open source evolution, from its grassroots beginnings to its central role today in China's AI strategy. We also get into the current OpenClaw craze in China and why Chinese tech firms seem to be jumping in faster than their American peers.
00:00 Intro to Kevin Xu
04:21 Early days of Chinese open source
16:11 1024 Programmers' Day and 996.ICU
27:33 Huawei enters the game
41:57 DeepSeek moment
51:17 China's OpenClaw frenzy
56:40 Will China keep doing open-source?
Links:
For transcripts and more, check out the High Capacity newsletter
