Meta AI chief urges teens to master AI tools, calls it ‘Bill Gates moment’

Meta’s artificial intelligence chief, Alexandr Wang, has urged teenagers to immerse themselves in technology and coding, describing the current phase of innovation as a once-in-a-generation opportunity similar to the early days of personal computing.

Wang said that young people today have unprecedented access to tools that can help them create, design, and train AI systems. He called this an era when anyone with curiosity and persistence can make breakthroughs from their bedroom or laptop — much like how Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg began building their ventures in their youth.

Meta AI chief calls for hands-on learning, creative coding

Wang argued that school students should not merely consume technology but actively create with it. “If you’re 13 years old, this is your Bill Gates moment,” he said, adding that the best way to prepare for the future is to “vibe-code” — a term he used for learning by experimenting freely with new AI tools rather than following rigid academic routines.

The Meta AI chief said traditional education often struggles to keep up with the pace of technological change. Artificial intelligence, data science, and computational thinking, he added, have become essential skills for the next generation of entrepreneurs, engineers, and researchers. Rather than memorising textbook definitions, he advised teens to learn by building small projects, writing code, and experimenting with emerging AI models.

He also highlighted how recent advances in generative AI have lowered the entry barrier for creators and coders. With access to open-source models, free coding environments, and online communities, young people can teach themselves to use AI for applications ranging from game design to art, storytelling, and scientific simulations.

Debate over education, future skills

Wang’s remarks reflect a wider industry view that early familiarity with artificial intelligence will be a defining skill of the future workforce. Tech leaders across sectors have warned that those who fail to understand automation and data-driven systems could struggle to stay relevant in the evolving economy.

However, his comments have also sparked debate about the balance between formal education and self-driven learning. Some educators have welcomed his call for hands-on engagement, while others caution that abandoning traditional study could narrow a student’s intellectual foundation.

Despite differing opinions, Wang’s message resonated with many young developers and tech enthusiasts online, who see AI as a creative medium rather than a distant scientific field. The Meta AI chief concluded that “curiosity and coding” should guide the next generation’s approach to learning — urging teens to explore freely, make mistakes, and keep building until they discover their own path in technology.