Alexandr Wang’s Recommendation To Children Sparks Backlash — Query Raised If Mark Zuckerberg Made A ‘Massive Mistake’ Paying $14.3 Billion For Meta’s New AI Chief – Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT), Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META)

Meta Platforms, Inc.’s (NASDAQ:META) newly appointed Chief AI Officer, Alexandr Wang, has drawn sharp criticism after his recommendation to younger folks about “vibe coding” went viral, leaving many questioning Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s $14.3 billion funding.

Alexandr Wang Urges Children To Grasp AI Early

Throughout his September look on The TBPN Present at Meta Join 2025, Wang urged youngsters to begin exploring synthetic intelligence early, evaluating as we speak’s second in AI to the daybreak of non-public computing.

He mentioned that those that spend “10,000 hours” studying and experimenting with AI instruments could have a serious benefit sooner or later financial system.

He added that adults usually lack the time to deeply experiment with new instruments, whereas youngsters have the chance to “reside and breathe AI the way in which early tech pioneers like Microsoft Company (NASDAQ:MSFT) co-founder Invoice Gates and Fb founder Zuckerberg did with computer systems many years in the past.

The clip, shared by TBPN on X, previously Twitter, over the weekend, shortly went viral — however not for the explanations Wang doubtless supposed.

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Critics Query Meta’s AI Course

Social media customers slammed the remarks as tone-deaf and out of contact. One consumer requested if that is actually what Meta paid $14.3 billion for, whereas one other referred to as changing Yann LeCun with Wang “a giant mistake” by Zuckerberg.

Others argued that telling youngsters to “vibe code” ignored the necessity for broader schooling and demanding pondering abilities. This sort of recommendation, one commenter mentioned, is why faculties now want remedial math and studying programs.

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…Some Defend Wang’s Message

Not everybody disagreed. Just a few customers mentioned Wang’s level was misunderstood, noting that early publicity to know-how usually provides younger folks a long-term edge. One commenter recalled studying QBASIC as a toddler and credited it for sparking a lifelong ardour for coding.

The hosts of the TBPN Present, John Coogan and Jordi Hays, additionally defended Wang, saying they agreed along with his recommendation.

They identified that if they’d entry to as we speak’s AI instruments after they have been teenagers, they might’ve realized quicker and constructed extra — so Wang’s message wasn’t unsuitable, simply misunderstood.

Meta’s $14.3 Billion AI Shake-Up

Wang’s feedback come as Meta undergoes a serious AI management shift. Following its multibillion-dollar funding in Scale AI, Wang now leads Meta’s new Superintelligence Labs.

Meta’s longtime Chief AI Scientist LeCun is now reportedly making ready to exit for a startup.

In response to Benzinga’s Edge Inventory Rankings, META has maintained a downward development throughout brief, medium and long-term durations. Extra efficiency particulars can be found right here.

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Disclaimer: This content material was partially produced with the assistance of AI instruments and was reviewed and revealed by Benzinga editors.

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