Meta's Young AI Lead Alexandr Wang Stirs Culture Clash as Muse App Boosts Stock

Alexandr Wang, a 29-year-old MIT dropout and former Scale AI CEO, was recruited by Mark Zuckerberg in a June 2025 transaction that gave Meta a 49% stake in Scale and a $14 billion investment. Known for his mullet, thrift-store T-shirt, Crocs, and risqué memes, Wang has turned his social-media presence into a viral spectacle, prompting imitators and criticism for sexualizing Meta’s mascot. His hiring came amid the departure of several top AI executives, such as Yann LeCun, as Meta wrestled with scandals including a $12.7 billion California settlement over teen social-media addiction.

The launch of the Muse AI app under Wang’s direction has lifted Meta’s stock by roughly 20%, adding over $400 billion to its market cap, and Wang has publicly praised user creations built with Muse. At the recent developer conference, Wang’s casual attire and outspoken remarks highlighted a cultural shift from Zuckerberg’s traditionally polished communications, which recently featured a dinner with President Trump at the White House. Despite internal friction, both Wang and Zuckerberg have been credited for making the AI revamp work.