Time Magazine's Person of the Year for 2025 is not a single entity but a collective known as the architects of artificial intelligence (AI). This group includes prominent figures such as Nvidia's Jensen Huang, Mark Zuckerberg of Meta, Elon Musk, and the celebrated AI pioneer Fei-Fei Li, all of whom are featured on one of the magazine's two covers.
Experts note this selection reflects the transformative pace at which AI and its developers are reshaping modern society. This announcement comes amidst ongoing advancements in the field, particularly following OpenAI's introduction of ChatGPT in late 2022, which has led to a substantial increase in AI's integration into everyday life. According to OpenAI's CEO Sam Altman, approximately 800 million people utilize their chatbot weekly.
Tech giants are investing billions to enhance AI capabilities, asserting their dominance in an increasingly competitive landscape. Time Magazine has produced two distinct covers this year: one that artistically depicts the letters 'AI' surrounded by workers, and another that showcases the tech leaders themselves.
As the dialogue surrounding responsible AI use grows, the emphasis has shifted from caution to rapid deployment. This year, the debate about how to wield AI responsibly gave way to a sprint to deploy it as fast as possible, Time stated, noting the trend towards a future filled with rapid automation.
While AI's trajectory seems promising, industry experts caution that the technology embodies both potential benefits and risks. Nik Kairinos, CEO of Fountech AI, remarked that while recognition of AI's power is essential, it should not be misconstrued as readiness for a world fully reliant on this technology.
Time's decision to recognize a group rather than individuals isn't unprecedented; similar honors have been awarded to collective efforts such as Ebola fighters in 2014 and whistleblowers in 2002. This year's acknowledgment reflects the significant role that AI plays in contemporary life, a technology that many now engage with unconsciously as part of their daily routines.
