The 2024 TIME100 AI list is out — and it captures just how rapidly artificial intelligence is reshaping the world. TIME magazine's second annual ranking of the 100 most influential people in AI features 91 new honorees this year, spanning industries, regions, and perspectives that reflect the extraordinary pace of change in the field.
Who Made the TIME100 AI 2024 List
The range of honorees is striking. At one end is Francesca Mani, a 15-year-old who became a leading advocate for deepfake protection across the United States. At the other is Andrew Yao, 77, one of China's most prominent computer scientists. Between them sit dozens of executives, policymakers, researchers, and creatives whose work is defining AI's trajectory.
Returning honorees include OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang, Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis, and Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman. New additions span sectors from healthcare and entertainment to government and open-source research.
How TIME Selected the 2024 AI List
The selection process was rigorous. TIME's editors and correspondents solicited nominations from industry leaders and dozens of expert sources. They then consulted members of last year's list to identify the best new additions to the AI community.
Notable voices contributed to the process — including Google CEO Sundar Pichai and Signal president Meredith Whittaker. Their involvement underscores a theme running through this year's list: AI is simultaneously an opportunity and a source of serious concern, particularly around security and privacy.
Key Themes: Leadership Shifts and Real-World AI
The 2024 ranking reflects several major shifts in the AI landscape. Conflicts around OpenAI's internal leadership — involving Sam Altman — drew significant attention. Technology corporations are increasingly playing dual roles as both AI investors and infrastructure builders.
Crucially, AI is no longer just about building models. Innovators like Zack Dvey-Aharon of AEYE Health and Brett Adcock of Figure demonstrate how the technology is moving from concept to concrete problem-solving in fields like healthcare and robotics.
What Comes Next for the TIME100 AI Community
TIME is not stopping at publishing a list. The publication plans to convene the TIME100 AI community annually, beginning this year with gatherings in San Francisco and London. The goal: to open sustained dialogue among AI leaders about the opportunities and risks that come with such rapid development.
The 2024 TIME100 AI issue, published September 16, features in-depth profiles of 18 honorees including AMD CEO Lisa Su, Mistral AI's Arthur Mensch, actor Scarlett Johansson, author Ray Kurzweil, and UN Tech Envoy Amandeep Singh Gill.
