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Meta AI chief Alexandr Wang reveals what kids must do to succeed, cites Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg
Who is Alexandr Wang?
Wang's "privileged upbringing" was crucial in giving him "a solid foundation in science and technology", said Mashable. Born in New Mexico, his Chinese immigrant parents "both worked as physicists on projects for the US Air Force and the military" and the future tech CEO "clearly had a brilliant mind passed down from his parents". He was "a maths whiz" as a child and "fond of participating in coding competitions", said ZeeBiz.
Wang "spent just one year at MIT" studying mathematics and computer science before teaming up with Lucy Guo, "another dropout", to start Scale in 2016, according to Forbes. Several rounds of investment followed, culminating in 2021 when the company was valued "north of $7 billion". It had taken Wang "just five years to become the youngest self-made billionaire in the world".
What is Scale AI?
Scale AI is a "labour-intensive operation", with more than 100,000 contract workers performing the "grunt work that powers the modern AI boom", said the WSJ.
"Unlike its biggest customers", which include Meta, OpenAI and Microsoft, Wang's company "is not building its own generative AI models". But it is able to provide "enormous volumes of accurately labelled data" to train AI tools, and so give itself a "central position in the booming sector", said the FT.
"Behind even the most impressive AI system are people," said The Verge, and any AI company trying to be competitive requires "huge numbers of people labelling data to train it, and clarifying data when it gets confused".
An army of outsourced workers around the world are employed by Scale's data annotation subsidiaries Remotasks and Outlier AI, which Wang describes as "very, very important to the process of building powerful AI systems".
But Scale's mass use of contractors to fulfil its data-labelling tasks is not without controversy. It is facing a class-action lawsuit from some workers, and is accused of "fostering an 'extremely predatory' relationship" with contractors, said the Inc. site. Allegations include "partially or unpaid work, and chronic mismanagement" at Scale's subsidiaries. Wang is named as a defendant in the case, accused of knowingly breaking work laws, along with other Scale executives.
Why is Wang so influential?
Wang has shown himself to be a "crafty opportunist" since starting Scale, said Cory Weinberg on The Information. He has "cemented himself in the upper echelons of Silicon Valley, partly through his knack for getting into the right rooms and securing the high-powered connections that can propel a young founder's fortunes". He also has a knack for "shifting Scale toward fresh pools of revenue when old ones dried up".
Wang's influence extends beyond California, too. His "deep connections in Washington" make him "stand out in the California-centric tech industry", said Louise Matsakis in the Semafor Technology newsletter. One lawmaker even called Wang a "real friend" – which is "a real compliment in DC".
Wang often speaks to legislators about his "hawkish views" on China, which he describes as "the greatest geopolitical competitor" to the US. He's twice briefed the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, with Democratic Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi praising him as "very insightful and at the same time personable".
Although OpenAI's CEO Sam Altman is the industry figure who "has been dominating the spotlight", Wang is "increasingly influencing how the industry is perceived" by regulators, said Matsakis. Scale AI's "outsized presence" in Washington may also "open lawmakers' eyes to the immense amount" of human labour that goes into AI.
Meta’s Chief AI Officer, Alexandr Wang, recently shared valuable advice for young people who want to succeed in the future. Speaking on a podcast during Meta Connect 2025, Alexander Wang said that children today should begin exploring artificial intelligence (AI) as early as possible. He compared this to how tech icons like Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg started experimenting with computers when they were young long before most people even understood their potential.
According to Alexander Wang, today’s “personal computer revolution” is happening again, but this time it’s through AI. Those who start learning and creating with AI tools early will have a major advantage in the years to come.
The Power of ‘Vibe-Coding’
Alexander Wang introduced an interesting concept called “vibe-coding” a creative and playful way of learning to code using AI tools. Instead of focusing only on theory or formal lessons, vibe-coding encourages young learners to explore, experiment, and build projects on their own.
He believes that teenagers who spend thousands of hours experimenting with AI models testing, tweaking, and creating will gain deep practical knowledge that can’t be learned from textbooks. In his words, “If you’re 13 right now, you should spend your time vibe-coding. This is your Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg moment.”
Why Learning AI Matters Now?
Alexander Wang explained that AI is at the same stage that personal computers were in the 1980s a powerful technology that is still evolving but will soon transform every field. The people who learn how to use AI effectively now will be the innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders of tomorrow.
He also pointed out that success with AI is not just about knowing how it works, but about using it creatively to solve problems. “Understanding the tools is only the first step,” he said. “Mastery comes when you use them every day.”
How Young Learners Can Get Started?
Wang shared a few simple but powerful tips for young people who want to build a future in AI:
Start early: Don’t wait for formal courses; explore freely.
Be curious: Try different AI tools and projects.
Learn by doing: Make mistakes, learn from them, and keep improving.
Stay creative: Use AI to build something new or solve real-world problems.
Meta’s AI Vision and the Future Ahead!
Alexander Wang’s advice also reflects Meta’s larger focus on artificial intelligence. The company is investing heavily in AI development, restructuring its teams, and launching new AI-driven products. Wang believes that this technology will shape every industry from education to healthcare in the coming decade.
In short, Alexandr Wang’s message to the next generation is clear that start experimenting with AI today. Just as Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg turned their curiosity about computers into world-changing innovation, today’s children can do the same with AI if they begin now.
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