Ever wondered who truly pulls the strings in the world of artificial intelligence? Our latest TIME100 AI list reveals the minds driving innovation, shaping policy, and sparking critical conversations. From tech titans to artistic trailblazers, these individuals are defining our digital future. Ready to meet the architects of tomorrow?
Today marks the highly anticipated release of the third annual TIME100 AI, a definitive compilation showcasing the most influential individuals shaping the landscape of artificial intelligence. This prestigious list continues to underscore a crucial truth: the trajectory of AI is not determined by algorithms or machines, but by the visionary people who innovate, advocate, create, and possess a profound stake in its evolving future.
First launched in 2023 following the widespread awareness generated by OpenAI’s ChatGPT, the TIME100 AI sought to demystify the burgeoning field by spotlighting the human element behind its incredible potential. It emerged at a pivotal moment when the public began to grasp AI’s capacity to rival and even exceed human capabilities, positioning TIME as a trusted guide through this unprecedented technological transformation.
The 2025 edition further solidifies our unwavering focus on these influential figures, capturing one of the year’s most dominant artificial intelligence storylines: the fierce competition for human talent. Investors are pouring astronomical sums into startups, reflecting the perceived irreplaceable value of pioneering founders. Similarly, leaders of major technology firms are reportedly offering nine-figure deals to entice prized technologists, turning the once-obscure battle for AI researchers into a spectacle reminiscent of professional sports free agency.
The stakes in this talent war are exceptionally high, with leading researchers being courted akin to top-tier athletes. This year’s list highlights several such impactful figures, including two of Meta’s noteworthy hires who join CEO Mark Zuckerberg among the 2025 TIME100 AI honorees, underscoring the premium placed on human expertise in this rapidly advancing domain.
Since the inception of the TIME100 AI, global expenditure on artificial intelligence-related technologies has dramatically accelerated, positioning AI as a pivotal driver of the global economy. While the long-term societal impact remains to be fully seen, investment in crucial computer-processing equipment is currently surging at nearly four times the rate of global GDP. Estimates from computer scientists and honorees suggest planned expenditures could dwarf the Manhattan Project’s cost by a factor of 25, even when adjusted for inflation.
This historic deployment of capital is being orchestrated by many of the visionary individuals who constitute the 2025 TIME100 AI community. This includes prominent figures such as Softbank CEO Masayoshi Son, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, xAI founder Elon Musk, the White House AI Czar Arati Prabhakar, and the E.U.’s Executive Vice President Margrethe Vestager, each making critical decisions that will shape our collective digital future.
The artificial intelligence industry is in a constant state of flux, a dynamic reality reflected in the fact that only 16 honorees from previous lists reappear this year. As AI’s integration into our daily lives intensifies, so too has the volume of diverse voices warning about its rapid developments, with these critical perspectives also being recognized on the 2025 list. The community also celebrates artists venturing into new frontiers of human-AI collaboration, such as the creator of this issue’s cover image, and actor Natasha Lyonne, who compellingly stated, “The fact of the matter is that it’s upon us. Best we dive in, I think.”
TIME is equally committed to diving deeper into this profound shift. Beyond curating the TIME100 AI community, we are expanding our team of dedicated reporters focused on the people and ideas powering this innovation, whose work is highlighted in our new newsletter, “Source Code.” We are also actively experimenting with how AI can enhance the distribution of TIME’s trusted journalism. Our strategic partnerships with leading AI companies, including OpenAI, have positioned TIME as one of the most cited information sources on platforms like ChatGPT. Furthermore, this summer saw the launch of our initial AI audio briefings, with the exciting debut of the TIME AI Agent on the horizon, promising the most interactive and personalized reading experience yet for TIME’s in-depth reporting.
