In an exclusive interview with China News Service, Zhou Hongyi, the founder of 360 Group, reflected on his entrepreneurial journey while emphasizing the role of curiosity in his achievements. “I look back at my experiences, and I believe my progress in digital security and exploration of new fields is closely tied to my curiosity,” he remarked.
For the past 30 years, Zhou has positioned himself as a disruptor in the internet sector, and he is now embracing a new identity as a short video creator appealing to younger audiences. In a recent interview, he shared his insights on entrepreneurship and offered advice to the youth.
“Curiosity is the driving force behind exploring the world,” Zhou stated. He noted that long, detailed content may not capture attention today; it’s essential to promote ideas and connect with audiences, which often requires leveraging traffic effectively.
Even after nearly three decades of entrepreneurship, Zhou remains at the forefront of digital engagement. He has consistently been a trending topic on short video platforms. This year, he made headlines by selling his Maybach in support of domestic cars, drawing crowds at the Beijing auto show, sharing viral moments from the show, and recently announcing his decision to learn how to drive.
Describing his foray into short videos as a “necessity,” Zhou sees it as a way to integrate his company’s marketing and public relations efforts with the evolving digital landscape. He aims to create his own entrepreneurial persona, positioning himself as a national cybersecurity guardian, an AI technology advocate, a digital product user, and a mentor for startup entrepreneurs.
In his short videos, Zhou covers diverse topics, from target shooting and visiting BBQ shops to experiencing various domestic cars and engaging in discussions about human evolution. This wide-ranging curiosity fuels his exploration of numerous themes.
“To me, cognition shapes a person’s growth direction and pace, and curiosity is the foundation of all cognition—our driving force to explore the world,” he explained, noting the saying, “I’ve eaten more salt than you’ve eaten rice,” emphasizing that one’s mindset can age them prematurely. Clearly, Zhou doesn’t consider himself ready to fall into that category.
Zhou is also actively contemplating the realities of artificial intelligence in today’s context. His reputation largely stems from his ability to challenge and revolutionize the internet landscape. Fifteen years ago, his decision to make antivirus software free changed the landscape and transformed the habits of millions of internet users.
As he reflects from a new vantage point, Zhou describes himself as becoming more mellow and distancing from the “disruptor” image. “When I think about my younger days, I charged into the industry full steam ahead. While that boldness has helped shape 360 into what it is today, it’s also been a process filled with challenges,” he recalled. Yet, this self-reflection hasn’t altered his core belief: “Digitalization fundamentally means software is redefining the world, creating a connected environment.”
He emphasized that, in this interconnected age, cyber threats can cross from virtual to physical realms, citing a recent incident in Lebanon as an example of this dangerous overlap. This recognition has led him to focus on software security, advocating for the simultaneous advancement of digital safety and AI security.
Regarding AI and the rapid development of large models, he urged private enterprises to seize the opportunity for technological innovation. “Large models have the potential to redefine many business practices,” he added. His goal is to “demystify AI and make it accessible to every household and industry.”
Zhou is passionate about entrepreneurship, tracing his journey back to his time at Xi’an Jiaotong University, where he often skipped classes to seize computing opportunities. Now, over 30 years later, he is returning as a part-time professor, planning to teach courses on AI and digital technology while nurturing entrepreneurial mindsets among students.
He believes that while students acquire many technical skills, transforming research into tangible results requires both scientific knowledge and an entrepreneurial spirit. “Young people should venture into entrepreneurship. If everyone only aims for a stable job, society lacks vitality,” he asserted, reminding them that failures in entrepreneurship are valuable experiences.
Having experienced multiple failures in his entrepreneurial pursuits, Zhou cautioned against narrowly defining entrepreneurship as merely starting a business. He encouraged young people to consider gaining experience in entrepreneurial ventures, whether joining startups or collaborating with partners, emphasizing a broader understanding of what entrepreneurship entails.
