Chinese AI startup Moonshot (Chinese name: 月之暗面) has made waves globally with the recent release of its large language model, K(키미)3, on July 17. The founder of Moonshot, who studied in the United States, has also drawn attention. While AI talents from other countries often build their careers in Silicon Valley after studying in the U.S., many Chinese AI professionals are opting to return home.
The founder of Moonshot is Yang Zhilin (杨植麟), born in 1992. After graduating from Tsinghua University, he earned a Ph.D. from Carnegie Mellon University and worked at Google and Meta. His AI-related papers continue to be referenced in the industry. Despite advice to stay abroad, he returned to China and founded Moonshot in 2023, achieving remarkable success.
In addition to Yang, there are numerous successful AI startups in China founded by individuals who studied in the U.S. Tang Jie, the founder of Zhiyu AI, which developed the globally recognized GLM series, is a graduate of the University of Illinois. Chen Tianshi, founder of the prominent AI semiconductor company Cambrian (寒武纪), and Shu Qi, founder of the AI semiconductor startup Birunkeji (壁仞科技), also have U.S. educational backgrounds.
The Chinese state-run Global Times reported on July 21 that the trend of Chinese talents returning home is partly due to rising anti-China sentiment in the U.S. The article noted, "Due to a lack of respect and an exclusive atmosphere in the U.S., many talented Chinese individuals are returning to their homeland." It also highlighted that Yang's case has sparked discussions about the need for changes in U.S. immigration policy. Wang Feng, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, stated, "The barriers to visas and work permits in the U.S. have increased, and the exclusive talent policies have weakened the foundation for overseas talents to build their careers in the U.S."
Moreover, China's strong industrial base is another reason why talents choose to return. The country has developed a startup investment ecosystem comparable to that of the U.S. and boasts a vast domestic market. Even without significant capital, those with competitive ideas can easily secure seed funding for their startups. Additionally, visible achievements can lead to large-scale fundraising through listings on Chinese stock markets.
The Global Times also noted that China's policy incentives and talent support programs are attractive to global talents. In 2024 and 2025, 380,000 students from 191 countries studied in China, with 35% being graduate students, and engineering majors being the most popular.
The article concluded, "In terms of salary, research support policies, and social demand for AI talents, China offers conditions comparable to those in the U.S., making returning home a rational choice for Chinese students studying abroad."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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