In a historic recognition of technological advancement, the “Architects of AI” were named Time magazine’s Person of the Year for 2025. The magazine heralded this moment as when the potential of artificial intelligence “roared into view” with irreversible momentum.
“For delivering the age of thinking machines, for wowing and worrying humanity, for transforming the present and transcending the possible, the Architects of AI are TIME’s 2025 Person of the Year,” Time stated in a social media announcement.
Choosing not just a single individual but a group of pioneering figures, Time emphasized the contributions of those who imagined, designed, and built AI systems. This approach contrasts with past selections, where sometimes concepts or singular figures were honored, such as the personal computer in 1982 or the endangered Earth in 1988. Sam Jacobs, Time‘s editor-in-chief, noted the historical significance of this choice, recalling the drama surrounding previous selections.
The cover of the magazine reflects this monumental moment, depicting eight tech leaders seated on a beam reminiscent of the iconic “Lunch Atop a Skyscraper” photograph from the 1930s. Among those featured are Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, AMD CEO Lisa Su, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Google’s DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, and AI pioneer Fei-Fei Li, who recently launched her startup World Labs.
Another cover image features scaffolding surrounding the giant letters “AI,” designed to resemble computer componentry, underscoring the pervasive influence of artificial intelligence on modern life.
The remarkable rise of these industry leaders is underscored by their combined wealth, with Musk, Zuckerberg, Huang, Altman, and Su being billionaires whose fortunes have soared to an estimated $870 billion during the past three years of AI innovation.
According to Thomas Husson, a principal analyst at research firm Forrester, it was fitting for Time to recognize AI this year. He noted that 2025 marks a pivotal transition from AI being a niche technology to becoming a mainstream fixture in everyday life.
The magazine also highlighted the attendance of leading AI executives at President Donald Trump’s inauguration this year, signaling the increasing prominence of the sector. Jacobs remarked, “This was the year when artificial intelligence’s full potential roared into view, and when it became clear that there will be no turning back or opting out.”
However, the AI boom has not come without its critics. Some experts have expressed concern over the rapid development of powerful AI systems. Anthony Aguirre, executive director of the nonprofit Future of Life Institute, cautioned that “leading AI companies are working feverishly to replace humans in every facet of life,” warning of potentially catastrophic societal impacts without adequate safeguards in place.
In the lead-up to the announcement, AI was a strong contender for the top honor, alongside figures such as Huang and Altman. Other notable potential selections included Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, as well as Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and New York Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani.
After winning a second bid for the White House, Trump was recognized as Time’s Person of the Year for 2024, following Taylor Swift, who held the title for 2023. Since its inception in 1927, Time has annually selected individuals or groups who have significantly influenced global headlines over the previous year.
Acquired by Marc Benioff in 2018, Time continues to remain independent in its editorial decisions, despite Benioff’s assertion that AI represents “probably the most important” technological wave of his lifetime. As society stands on the threshold of an AI-driven future, the implications of this recognition resonate, setting the stage for continual discourse around the technology’s benefits and risks.
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