Scale AI CEO Calls for U.S. AI Supremacy Amid Military Debate

Backing the Troops with Algorithms

Alexandr Wang, founder and CEO of Scale AI, has come out strongly in defense of the company’s military partnerships, arguing they are essential to national security. Speaking at a defense tech conference in Washington, D.C., Wang emphasized that collaboration between AI firms and the U.S. Department of Defense is critical in ensuring the United States remains a global leader in artificial intelligence. Wang positioned Scale AI’s work with the Pentagon as a patriotic duty, critiquing Silicon Valley’s reluctance to engage with defense initiatives. He warned that hesitations rooted in ethical concerns could cede AI dominance to adversarial nations like China.

Sounding the Alarm on Global AI Rivalry

Wang called for a more aggressive U.S. government approach to funding and developing cutting-edge AI technologies, cautioning that America is at risk of falling behind. He argued that China’s state-backed AI ecosystem is rapidly advancing, buoyed by close coordination between government, academia, and industry. Wang urged U.S. policymakers to better align with private AI firms through R&D investments and procurement reform. The Scale AI chief’s comments reflect a growing urgency in D.C. circles about maintaining a tech edge in an increasingly militarized AI race.