Meta’s Chief Scientist Yann LeCun Criticizes Silicon Valley’s Sense of Superiority, Emphasizes the Importance of Open Source

Yann LeCun Points Out Problems in Silicon Valley Circles
On February 1st, Meta's Chief Scientist Yann LeCun posted on his LinkedIn account, directly addressing the issues within "some circles" in Silicon Valley and criticizing their misplaced sense of superiority.
Manifestations of False Superiority
LeCun pointed out that a common issue in some Silicon Valley circles is a false sense of superiority. The early symptom of this is the belief that their small circle monopolizes good ideas, while the late-stage symptom is the belief that innovations from other places are the result of cheating.
Technological Progress Requires More Participation
He emphasized that technological progress is often accelerated through the participation of more talented individuals, who share their innovative results with each other. This is why the scientific community has long organized collaborations by publishing research results and sharing tools, while the developer community cooperates based on open-source principles.
The Role of the Patent System
LeCun also mentioned the existence of the patent system, noting that although it is outdated and not very effective in the software and services industry, patents grant exclusive rights to inventions for a limited time. In exchange for this period of exclusivity, inventors are required to disclose enough details to allow others to replicate and improve upon the invention.
Praise for China’s DeepSeek R1 Model
Recently, LeCun praised China’s DeepSeek R1 model, stating that the biggest takeaway from its success was the importance of keeping AI models open-source so everyone can benefit. He praised, "They came up with new ideas and built upon the work of others. Because their work is public and open-source, everyone can benefit. This is the power of open-source research and technology."
Conclusion
LeCun’s statement reminds us that technological progress requires openness and collaboration, not closed-off attitudes and superiority. Through open-source and sharing, more people can participate in innovation, which is what will truly drive technological development. Silicon Valley circles need to reflect, abandon their false sense of superiority, and embrace the spirit of openness and collaboration to remain at the forefront of future technological competition.