Silicon Valley leaders are labeling ‘DEI’ as harmful and ‘meritocracy’ as ideal
Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad DEI? Exploring the Rift in Silicon Valley
The acronym DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) has become a contentious topic, sparking polarized reactions between advocates and detractors. This divide was starkly illustrated when Alexandr Wang, founder of Scale AI, took to X (formerly Twitter) to propose a shift from DEI to “MEI” — Merit, Excellence, and Intelligence.
“Scale is a meritocracy, and we must always remain one,” Wang proclaimed. “Every decision to bring someone on board is crucial and has never been influenced by current trends or virtue signaling.”
Wang’s statement drew enthusiastic responses on X from notable figures like Elon Musk, Palmer Luckey, and Brian Armstrong. Conversely, on LinkedIn, the reception from the startup community was less favorable. Critics argued that Wang’s emphasis on “meritocracy” overlooks the inherent subjectivity of the term. They pointed out that relying solely on meritocracy ignores systemic barriers that can prevent some groups from showcasing their full potential.
