Key Facts
- Alexandr Wang co-founded Scale AI, a company that handles the grunt work of human-powered data collection essential for building machine learning models.
- Wang developed close relationships with tech leaders, including Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, spending time at Zuckerberg’s homes in Tahoe and Palo Alto discussing AI’s future.
- Scale AI secured a $90 million contract with the Defense Department in 2020, which expanded in 2022 to a $250 million purchase agreement making its technology available to all federal agencies.
- Meta invested $14.3 billion in Scale AI and appointed Wang to its ‘superintelligence’ group reporting directly to CEO Mark Zuckerberg.
Fortunately for Wang, he ignored the advice. Last week, the 28-year-old parlayed his ability to cultivate influential relationships into a $14.3 billion investment from Meta in Scale, and a new job for himself in Meta’s “superintelligence” group, reporting to CEO Mark Zuckerberg.
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Key Stats at a Glance
Meta's investment in Scale AI
$14.3 billion
2020 Defense Department contract
$90 million
2022 federal agencies purchase agreement
$250 million