TIME100 AI List Names Top Influencers in Artificial Intelligence
TIME magazine has released its fourth annual TIME100 AI list, recognizing individuals who are shaping the field of artificial intelligence. The list features four categories: Leaders, Innovators, Shapers, and Thinkers.
The selection process was led by Ayesha Javed. Notable names on the list include Sam Altman, who has steered OpenAI through its transformation from a research lab to a commercial juggernaut, Elon Musk, whose xAI venture has become impossible to ignore after merging with SpaceX in a deal that produced a combined valuation of roughly $1.7 trillion in June 2026.
Dario and Daniela Amodei, the sibling duo running Anthropic, also earned spots on the list alongside leaders from ByteDance and Huawei. Yang Zhilin of Moonshot AI appears as a first-time Innovator honoree.
Meta's acquisition of Manus in late 2025, valued at $2 to $3 billion, represents a strategic bet by the company rather than building everything in-house. TIME Editor-in-Chief Sam Jacobs characterized the current environment as tumultuous, noting that heated discussions on AI ethics and safety are defining the moment.