Scale AI founder and CEO Alexandr Wang recently shared his thoughts on the direction of the industry, the critical role of data and the responsibilities that come with AI innovation. Speaking at Scale AI’s new San Francisco office, Wang outlined the company’s mission and his vision for the future of AI.

“Data is what’s allowed us to become an amazing company,” Wang said. “Better data results in better AI.” This focus on high-quality, specialized data has positioned Scale AI as a leader, catering to enterprises aiming to leverage proprietary data to build customized AI agents. Wang explained that Scale’s evolution from a data annotation service to what he calls a “data foundry” reflects the company’s commitment to empowering enterprises with robust AI solutions tailored to their needs.

Wang discussed the industry’s transition from early experimentation to what he describes as the “second inning,” where AI projects are moving from prototype to full-scale production.

“Where we see a lot of enterprises struggle today is in the jump from pilot to production,” he noted. Scale AI plays a pivotal role in this process, guiding companies to refine their models with proprietary data until they’re ready for deployment. “Our responsibility is to utilize the infrastructure we’ve built to support every enterprise in making use of their proprietary data.”

The conversation also touched on the topic of AI safety, which Wang regards as crucial. “I think over the next few years, it will become more and more obvious that these models are powerful and that we need to be thoughtful about what their capabilities are,” he remarked. Wang acknowledged the significant geopolitical challenges AI poses, particularly in the balance of power between nations. He stressed that “if the United States maintains leadership in AI, you avoid a lot of the most devastating scenarios of AI safety.”

Reflecting on the broader impact of AI on national security, Wang warned of the potential underinvestment in AI by the U.S. government compared to other nations.

“The United States Department of Defense invests significantly less in data and AI than the Chinese People’s Liberation Army,” he said, adding: “We are dramatically underinvested compared to China.”

In Wang’s view, AI has the power to fundamentally shape the future, and it’s clear that Scale AI intends to be at the forefront of this change.