The global AI boom has propelled tech-related companies to unprecedented valuations, creating a new generation of young billionaires. Among them is 30-year-old Chinese-American entrepreneur Lucy Guo, who has surpassed pop icon Taylor Swift to become the world's youngest self-made female billionaire, according to Forbes' latest rankings.
Guo, a co-founder of AI data labeling company Scale AI, retains a 5 percent stake in the firm despite leaving in 2018. With Scale AI's valuation now nearing HK$200 billion (US$25.6 billion), her share is worth approximately HK$10 billion (US$1.28 billion).
Forbes' 2025 list of self-made female billionaires under 40 features only six names, including Guo, 35-year-old Taylor Swift (estimated net worth: HK$12.5 billion), and 37-year-old Rihanna. Guo's ascension marks the first time a 30-year-old has topped the list.
Taylor Swift's net worth currently stands at US$1.6 billion (~HK$12.5 billion).
From coding prodigy to AI pioneer
Born in October 1994 to Chinese immigrant engineers in Fremont, California, Guo displayed entrepreneurial instincts early. By second grade, she was self-taught in programming, later monetizing online game modifications - including creating and selling Pokémon account hacks.
After studying computer science at Carnegie Mellon University, Guo dropped out in 2014 upon receiving the Thiel Fellowship's US$100,000 grant for young entrepreneurs. Her career started with stints at Facebook, Snapchat - where she helped develop Snap Maps, and Quora - where she met Scale AI co-founder Alexandr Wang.
Scale AI co-founder Alexandr Wang.
The Scale AI story
Founded in 2016, Scale AI provides the crucial "data labeling" service that trains AI models like ChatGPT. Its clients include OpenAI, Meta, and Microsoft. Though Guo was ousted in 2018 due to disagreements with Wang, her retained shares skyrocketed during the AI boom.
Undeterred, Guo launched Backend Capital - an early-stage fund focused on investing in brilliant engineers, and Passes - a creator monetization platform.
Work hard, party harder?
While her Instagram showcases a glamorous lifestyle of travel and parties, Guo told Business Insider she maintains a disciplined routine: waking at 5.30am for workouts before marathon work sessions.
A proponent of the FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement, Guo advocates strategic investing and leveraging networks - principles that have clearly paid off for tech's newest billionaire.
(Marco Lam)
