Value investor Duan Yongping responded on September 12 on Xueqiu platform to a follower's question about whether investing in AI now is too late or a bubble. He cited his own purchase of Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) in 2011, noting the company had been listed since 1980, saying "So you think my investment in Apple was even later, right?" to illustrate that timing is not the decisive factor.

Duan challenged the follower's interpretation of Warren Buffett's "don't participate in a crowded trade" remark, urging them to "read it a few more times." He also corrected his earlier memory of Apple's IPO year after checking. The exchange originated from a post by user "Flying Knight 77" asking whether Duan felt he was late to AI investing and whether it might be a bubble. Duan's response implicitly defended the strategy of entering AI investment despite apparent delays.