Early Life
Alexandr Wang was born in Los Alamos, New Mexico, in January 1997. His parents, both physicists, instilled in him a strong foundation in science and technology. Wang excelled in math and science competitions from a young age, showcasing his early aptitude for technology.
Rise to Success
Wang briefly attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) but dropped out after a year to co-found Scale AI in 2016. Scale AI was created to provide data labeling services to train AI models. The company quickly gained traction and, by 2022, Wang became the world's youngest self-made billionaire at age 25. Scale AI's growth was fueled by increasing demand for high-quality data to train AI models for various applications.
Key Business Strategies
Scale AI's business model focuses on providing high-quality data annotation services. The company has secured significant contracts with major companies like Meta, Microsoft, and the U.S. government. In 2025, Meta invested $14.3 billion in Scale AI, valuing the company at $29 billion. Scale AI has also expanded its services to include agentic workflows and applications.
Philanthropy
Wang is also involved in philanthropy, focusing on STEM education and AI research. He has donated millions of dollars to support initiatives in these areas, recognizing their importance for the future. His approach to philanthropy is data-driven, aiming to create a lasting impact.