Title: Scale AI’s CEO, Alexandr Wang, Urges the Trump Administration to Increase AI Investment

In a bold move, Scale AI’s Chief Executive Officer, Alexandr Wang, purchased an entire page in The Washington Post to implore the Trump administration to allocate additional resources to artificial intelligence (AI). Posting an image of the ad on a popular social media network, Wang, who was present at the President’s inauguration on Monday alongside numerous tech industry leaders, stressed that the U.S. needs to triumph in the AI race.

The ad, dated January 21, 2025, was shared on Twitter, where Wang expressed his belief that the current administration has the capability to keep the U.S. in the lead in AI, ahead of China. He also outlined five recommendations for the new administration in the digital ad.

In the extended version of the letter available online, Wang proposed five comprehensive strategies for the U.S. to outdo China in what he termed an “AI war”. Scale AI, known for its data labeling and processing services for large-scale AI projects, was valued at a staggering $13.8 billion last year.

Wang’s recommendations for the U.S. government include emulating the investment strategies of tech behemoths by directing more funds towards data and computing resources. He also advised a review of existing regulations to ensure the availability of ample AI-related employment opportunities in the future.

In addition, Wang advocated for preparing federal agencies to become “AI-ready” by 2027. He suggested the initiation of an ambitious plan for affordable electricity that can be used by AI-focused data centers. He also provided input on implementing AI safety measures.

Implementing these proposals could benefit Scale AI, particularly if there is an increase in government spending on data. The company, which already has the U.S. government as a client, is rumored to be part of a consortium planning to start a defense startup in the U.S.

Easing regulations and promoting AI-related jobs could also be advantageous for Scale, which heavily relies on contract employees. Some of these workers have recently filed lawsuits alleging misclassification.

However, Wang has positioned his recommendations as part of a broader initiative to maintain the U.S.’s AI supremacy over China. “We are engaged in a unique kind of technological competition,” his letter asserts, noting China’s unprecedented investment in AI.

Chinese models like DeepSeek have been making headlines due to their superior performance on certain industry standards. Wang’s letter suggests that China is quickly closing the gap with the U.S., a sentiment echoed by other leaders in the AI field.

However, Wang’s portrayal of the U.S.-China AI rivalry as a “war” has sparked controversy among some critics.

Emmett Shear, former CEO of Twitch who also served briefly as OpenAI’s CEO in 2023, criticized this narrative, arguing against turning AI development into a conflict.

The Trump administration’s response is yet to be seen. So far, President Trump’s primary action on AI has been the cancellation of his predecessor’s Executive Order on AI, which provided guidelines for companies to rectify errors and biases in their models.