How Sanqi Interactive's Li Yifei is Betting Big on AI to Reshape Gaming
The AI Gambit Behind Sanqi Interactive's Success
When Zhipu AI went public earlier this year with a staggering HK$57.8 billion valuation, few noticed the gaming company quietly celebrating in the wings. For Sanqi Interactive CEO Li Yifei, this wasn't just another successful exit—it was validation of his ambitious plan to reinvent gaming through artificial intelligence.
From Game Publisher to Tech Investor
What began as a passion project for a gaming enthusiast has transformed into one of China's most intriguing tech investment stories. Under Li's leadership, Sanqi Interactive has evolved from game publisher to strategic investor, placing calculated bets across the AI landscape.
"We're not just chasing trends," explains Li in rare public comments. "We're building the technological foundation that will define interactive entertainment for decades."
The Large Model Advantage
The numbers speak volumes about Li's foresight. Sanqi's early investments in Chinese AI leaders Zhipu and Moonshot have already paid dividends—literally and technologically. Zhipu's GLM model now slashes game asset production times by up to 40%, while Moonshot's Kimi chatbot handles millions of customer inquiries monthly.
But perhaps more impressive than the financial returns is how quickly these technologies integrated into Sanqi's operations:
- Content Creation: What took artists weeks now takes hours using AI-assisted tools
- Player Support: Kimi handles routine queries with human-like understanding
- Testing: Automated systems catch bugs before human testers even log on
Beyond Software: Betting on Hardware Frontiers
Never one to think small, Li has extended Sanqi's reach into physical computing frontiers:
Brain-Computer Interfaces: Their $20 million investment in Qiangnao Tech positioned them alongside Elon Musk's Neuralink in this emerging field. Early prototypes already allow basic game control through thought alone.
Semiconductors: Recognizing that true independence requires hardware control, Sanqi now holds stakes in three domestic chip designers. "We won't be caught unprepared like others during supply chain disruptions," notes CTO Zhang Wei.
The Hard-Core Vision Takes Shape
The pieces are falling into place for what insiders call "Project Hard-Core"—Li's vision for seamless integration between human cognition and digital worlds:
- Next-gen neural interfaces reducing input latency below conscious perception
- Localized AI chips ensuring uninterrupted gameplay even offline
- Proprietary models generating personalized game worlds dynamically
The industry is taking notice. "Sanqi could become the first truly vertically integrated metaverse company,\
