Zhu Jun is a prominent Chinese computer scientist, entrepreneur, and leading figure in artificial intelligence research, known especially as the founder and chief scientist of ShengShu Technology. ShengShu is a cutting-edge AI startup pioneering advancements in multimodal generative AI models, including video generation capabilities and robotics applications. Originating from Tsinghua University, Zhu Jun’s work bridges theoretical AI and innovative commercial products, placing him at the forefront of China’s AI revolution. This article explores key facets of Zhu Jun's career, the genesis and achievements of ShengShu Technology, and their vision for artificial general intelligence (AGI) centered on real-world applications.
Born in January 1983 in Funan County, Anhui Province, China, Zhu Jun excelled academically and attended Tsinghua University’s Department of Computer Science and Technology. He earned his bachelor’s degree in 2005, followed by a master’s and Ph.D. in computer science by 2009. Zhu completed postdoctoral research at Carnegie Mellon University in the United States before returning to Tsinghua University as a faculty member. His academic career advanced rapidly, culminating in full professorship and numerous leadership roles, including Deputy Director of the Tsinghua Institute for Artificial Intelligence.
Zhu Jun has made significant contributions to machine learning, deep learning, and multimodal AI, publishing over 650 papers and earning more than 28,000 citations. His research focuses include Bayesian inference, scalable learning algorithms, topic models, representation learning, and their applications in fields ranging from natural language processing to computer vision. Zhu has been recognized as a Fellow by both the IEEE and the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI), highlighting his global impact on AI science.
In early 2023, Zhu Jun founded ShengShu Technology, a Chinese startup that quickly gained attention for its pioneering AI models. The company emerged from Tsinghua University’s AI research ecosystem, leveraging Zhu’s expertise to develop state-of-the-art multimodal generative models integrating text, video, images, and audio. ShengShu aims to lead in the development of a "general world model"—an AI system capable of perceiving and interacting with physical environments, a major step toward artificial general intelligence.
In April 2024, ShengShu Technology released Vidu, China’s first large-scale text-to-video generation AI model. Vidu can create high-definition videos up to 16 seconds with continuous, coherent scenes, dynamic camera movements, and culturally relevant content such as pandas and Chinese dragons. This innovation established ShengShu as a major competitor to global models like OpenAI’s Sora, which was later discontinued. Vidu incorporates Zhu Jun's team's research into the U-ViT architecture, enabling rapid, high-quality video generation.
ShengShu has raised substantial capital from multiple investors including Alibaba Cloud, Ant Group, Baidu Ventures, and others, with a notable funding round in early 2026 securing more than 600 million RMB. This influx underlines confidence in ShengShu’s technology and commercial potential. Their investors span major Chinese technology and education institutions, reflecting the strategic importance of multimodal AI in China’s national AI plans.
In late 2025, ShengShu expanded beyond video generation into robotics technology by open-sourcing Motus, a powerful multimodal AI model capable of controlling robots through integrated video, audio, and sensor data. This aligns with ShengShu’s ambition to develop embodied intelligence systems that merge digital AI with the physical world, driving practical automation in industries and robotics.
Beyond entrepreneurship, Zhu Jun is deeply engaged in academia, serving as Deputy Dean of Tsinghua University's Institute for Artificial Intelligence. He leads the TSAIL research group, mentoring future AI researchers and fostering innovation. Zhu advocates for bold, long-term investment in research directions, shaping China’s next generation of AI talent and aligning academic advancements with real-world applications.
ShengShu is focused on creating a “general world model” that comprehends sensory information similarly to human cognition, enabling artificial agents to perceive, understand, and interact effectively in physical environments. This approach contrasts with many AI applications limited to narrowly defined digital tasks. Zhu Jun foresees breakthroughs in 2026 as ShengShu advances these foundational models, potentially leading to commercially viable AGI systems.
ShengShu operates in a highly competitive sector alongside giants like ByteDance, Alibaba, and Kuaishou, all of whom have launched video generation platforms. Zhu Jun’s company distinguishes itself through foundational research, integration of multimodal AI, and partnerships with organizations such as Bosch and Wujie Dynamics for embodied intelligence research. This collaborative ecosystem is accelerating China’s global emergence in next-generation AI technologies.
Zhu Jun’s achievements have earned him Fellowships at IEEE and AAAI and designation as a top innovator by MIT Technology Review. As ShengShu’s technology matures, with ongoing releases like Vidu Q3 and advances in fast video generation and multimodal robotics, Zhu Jun’s work exemplifies China’s drive to lead AI innovation globally. The company’s success could reshape content generation, robotics, and ultimately human-machine interaction in the coming years.
Zhu Jun’s journey from a promising student in Anhui Province to the founder of a pioneering AI startup underscores a blend of academic brilliance and visionary entrepreneurship. ShengShu Technology, under his leadership, pushes the boundaries of multimodal AI, integrating video generation and robotic control towards the ambitious goal of artificial general intelligence. As competition intensifies in the global AI race, Zhu Jun’s contributions and ShengShu’s innovations highlight China’s growing prowess in AI research and practical applications. Observers and enthusiasts alike can anticipate significant advances from Zhu Jun and ShengShu that may transform AI's role in digital content, robotics, and beyond.
