Tech entrepreneur Andrew Yang is framing his long-shot, semi-viral candidacy for the Democratic nomination as the antithesis to President Donald Trump in 2020.

"We need to do the opposite of much of what we're doing right now, and the opposite of Donald Trump is an Asian man who likes math," Yang quipped in his opening statement at Wednesday night's primary debate, making a reference to his slogan, "Make America Think Harder."

Yang has positioned himself as the candidate of the future, painting a doom-and-gloom picture of tech automation's consequences on the economy and the need to quickly address it. He warns that a number of American jobs will cease to exist in a decade because of new technology. His candidacy has caught some traction within Silicon Valley and tech communities.

He has acknowledged his unconventional style, bemoaning the political and media establishment for focusing more on his decision to not wear a necktie to the debates than his policies. He warned that the entire process resembles a reality show and that appeal is what gave way to Trump's election.

"We're up here with make-up on our faces and our rehearsed attack lines, playing roles in this reality TV show. It's one reason why we elected a reality TV star as our president," Yang said. "We need to be laser-focused on solving the real challenges of today."

He's gone semi-viral with internet followers who have dubbed themselves "The Yang Gang." Following the second night of primary debates in Detroit, Yang was one of the top candidates in web searches and gained more than 10,000 new Twitter followers.

Yang frequently cites the need for a universal basic income to combat automation, and while he got the least airtime on Wednesday, the debate gave him a national platform to elevate his proposal.

Who is Andrew Yang?

Yang, 44, started his career as a corporate attorney then moved on to work at a health care software startup. He later became president of test preparation company, Manhattan Prep, that was acquired by Kaplan in 2009.

In 2011, Yang founded Venture for America, a nonprofit fellowship program that trains college graduates for two years and places them to work at startups around the country. The Obama administration named him a "Champion of Change" in 2012 and a "Presidential Ambassador for Global Entrepreneurship" in 2015.

Yang, a political neophyte, was born in New York and his parents are immigrants from Taiwan. At Wednesday's debate, he panned Trump's immigration practices, arguing that "immigrants are being scapegoated."

Where does Yang stand on the issues?

Yang's signature issue is his "freedom dividend," which is a universal basic income that gives $1,000 a month to Americans over the age of 18 and isn't tied to employment. Any increases, with the exception of a cost of living adjustment, would need a constitutional amendment.

His campaign website says his freedom dividend will be paid for "by a new tax on the companies benefiting most from automation."

Yang supports transitioning to a "Medicare for All" health care system that doesn't rely on employer-provided coverage, but doesn't appear to go as far as progressive Sens. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts' support for eliminating private insurance companies.

In light of Republican attacks accusing Democrats of embracing socialism, Yang frequently touts "human-centered capitalism," decrying the current system which he says focuses too much on "corporate profits" and believes will worsen with the proliferation of automation and artificial intelligence.

Will Yang make the September debate stage?

At least seven Democratic candidates are all but assured to qualify for the Sept. 12 and 13 debates in Houston. Yang is not quite there, but is close to qualifying.

To qualify, candidates must reach at least 2 percent in four national or state polls approved by the national party and garner 130,000 individuals donors, with a minimum of 400 donors from at least 20 states. Candidates have until the end of August to qualify.