Alexandr Wang, the world's youngest home-built billionaire and CEO of $14 billion in corporate AI, has become one of the most important voices on artificial intelligence. And the message he's sharing now is that the US is There is a risk of delays.
“The Chinese Communist Party has enacted a government-wide approach to leading AI: an AI master plan,” he said. “They want to be leaders by 2030. Their approach will integrate all the parts of the economy, government and Chinese society so that they can come out first.”
And he admitted it would release him.
“One thing I'm really worried about is if China is moving ahead with AI. And let's say they start applying AI more effectively than we do in the US. They can hack into our system.
At 28, he has attracted the attention of lawmakers, CEOs and celebrities and has the ability to influence policy.
Since moving to San Francisco nearly a decade ago, he has come to know all about the right people in Silicon Valley (Sam Altman had lived with him for several months) and has become a fixture for global events like the Allen & Company Conference in Sun Valley.
Now he is helping the US approach to AI. And I believe that time is right. “This administration is very focused on AI and has a lot to think about how to secure American leadership.”
After testifying before the House Energy and Commerce Committee this week and unveiling his vision for America's AI strategy, Wang spoke about why this moment is so urgent, why he prioritizes time with government leaders (he sat for 4.5 hours before Congress), and why he believes Silicon Valley will be committed to helping him win the US.
Wang said that the US is looking at narrow windows (1-2 years) to secure a lead in AI, especially as China accelerates its own ambitions.
While the US holds the advantage of computing power, one of the key areas of AI racing, Wang said that competition with China is the neck and neck of the algorithm.
“The US needs a strategy for dominating data,” he emphasized. “To win data, you need an approach in both the public and private sectors.”
He has some ideas that will help our government compete. The first is to establish information sanctuaries that allow data to be shared between agencies and help train AI.
The other is to integrate AI into government – Wang's goal of streamlining what is called the “agent” approach, including energy permits, strengthening national security, and more.
“I advocate for AI agents to make the federal government more efficient,” he said.
Founded in 2016 when Wang was 19, Scale AI is already helping businesses build smarter AI by ensuring that training data is accurate and well organized. They also use AI to strengthen military planning and warfare over the years and work with the Department of Defense.
Other companies are also on board. When Scales began working with DOD, it sparked controversy in Silicon Valley. There, many AI companies are moving away from their defense work.
“We were a bit of a pariah,” the king said. “We're now seeing the pendulum return. Even Silicon Valley has a clear awareness and moral obligation that it needs to use AI to support fighter jets, supporting the natural security mission.”
That change reflects the broader evolution of technology. And Wang says he sees how America's role in the world has become a “best mind” for industry power players.
“We're having multiple aggressive wars around the world at this point. The geopolitical situation has deteriorated dramatically,” he pointed out. “What if China moves ahead and the most amazing people in America aren't working on national security?”
Beyond security, the King emphasizes that moving AI forward will benefit all Americans, and he already considers the possibility of that support. Approximately 20% of scale AI training jobs are located in rural towns and cities, creating employment opportunities whether they hold hands on machines that replace humans or dominate the discussion about AI.
“These are job opportunities headed by Americans who may not have exciting opportunities in a growing economic space like AI, and I think this will continue to accelerate in the coming years,” Wang said.
“As humans, we're going to be managers of AI agents. It seems like everyone in the world will be promoted to become managers.”
This story is part of Nynext, the essential insider insight into innovation, moonshot and political chess moves that are most important for NYC power players (and aspiring people).
The king's path feels almost doomed. He was raised by two scientists in Los Alamos, New Mexico (the birthplace of the Manhattan Project). There, the importance of integrating technology and national security was instilled in him.
“It was very delved into my childhood that America's leadership in science and technology is at the heart of why we can maintain our leadership as a nation,” he said. “The way America is ultimately ahead of the global order is extremely important.”
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