Today we are publishing the third issue TIME100 AIour annual roundup of the most influential people in artificial intelligence. We launched this list in 2023, following the release of OpenAI ChatGPT, when many people became aware of the potential of AI to compete with and surpass humans. Our goal was to show how the direction of AI will be determined not by machines, but by people—innovators, advocates, artists, and anyone interested in the future of this technology. Our goal at TIME is to be your trusted guide through this transformation.
This year's list further demonstrates our focus on people. One of the dominant AI storylines in 2025 is the competition for humans. Investors have poured hundreds of millions into startups, reflecting the perceived value of the founders and leaders of large tech companies like Meta Mark Zuckerberg have reportedly offered nine-figure deals to attract valuable technologists. These hires, accompanied by frenzied rumors, have turned a once little-known rivalry between artificial intelligence researchers into something more reminiscent of professional sports free agency. The stakes for winning the competition are so high that top researchers are courted like NBA stars. (Two prominent Zuckerberg employees, Alexander Wang and Nat Friedmanjoin him at 2025 TIME100 AI.)
Since we launched TIME100 AI, spending on AI-related technologies has increased, becoming a key driver of the global economy. For better or for worse, it's too early to say, but investment in computer hardware is growing almost four times faster than GDP. Computer scientist, 2025 award winner. Stuart Russell It is estimated that current planned costs could be 25 times the amount spent on the Manhattan Project, even adjusted for inflation. This is a historic allocation of capital, and decisions on how to spend it are being made by many of the people joining the TIME100 AI community this year, including Softbank's CEO. Masayoshi SonCEO of OpenAI Sam Altmanfounder of xAI Elon MuskWhite House AI Czar David Sachsand the EU Henna Virkkunen.
Also in this episode, we show how the decisions of these people are changing not only the technology industry, but also the way we live and, perhaps, how wars can be won. Justin Worland and photographer Elliot Ross traveled to Atlanta to show how the physical spaces, like data centers, that make AI possible are designed. load on our energy systems. And Billy Perrigo reports from Paris about geopolitical calculations and the risks that accompany competition to create artificial general intelligence.
Behind the cover: How artist Refik Anadol made the cover of AI 2025 TIME100
The artificial intelligence industry is changing rapidly. (Previously, the list, curated by Aisha Javed, featured only 16 TIME100 AI award winners.) As the entry of AI into our lives has accelerated, so have the volume of voices warning about its development. These voices are also featured on this year's list, including Pope Leo XIVresearcher Joshua Bengioand the French minister Clara Chappas. This also includes artists who push the boundaries of what is possible and what happens when humans and artificial intelligence work together, e.g. Refik Anadolthis issue's cover artist and actor Natasha Lyonne. “I understand the spark that AI brings out in people. Life is scary,” Lyonne told TIME. “The thing is, it's up to us. Our best bet is to dive in, I think.”
We're diving into TIME too. In addition to the TIME100 artificial intelligence community, we are expanding a team of reporters dedicated to covering the people and ideas behind artificial intelligence. Some of their work can be found in a new newsletter by Perrigo and Andrew R. Chow called In a loop. We're also experimenting with how artificial intelligence can improve the distribution of TIME's reporting. Our partnerships with artificial intelligence companies like OpenAI have helped make TIME one of the most cited sources of information on platforms like ChatGPT. And this summer, in collaboration with Scale AI, we launched our first AI audio briefings. We look forward to the debut of TIME AI Agent soon, creating the most interactive and personalized reading experience for TIME's trusted reporting.
