Time magazine names ‘Architects of AI’ as 2025 Person of the Year, as artificial intelligence dominates global influence

TIME magazine has named “The Architects of AI” as its 2025 Person of the Year, marking a defining moment in the global conversation around artificial intelligence. Announcing the decision on Thursday (December 11), Time said 2025 was the year when “AI’s full potential roared into view”.

The magazine credited the innovators behind modern AI systems for “wowing and worrying humanity” as they reshape industries, societies, and the future.

Why AI won the spotlight

Time said the recognition reflected how profoundly AI has transformed the present and expanded the bounds of what is possible.

The publication highlighted the sharp acceleration of AI capabilities this year, along with fears around safety, misinformation, job disruption and ethical use. For delivering “the age of thinking machines,” the architects driving these advancements were deemed the most influential of 2025.

The recognition reflects both the rapid advancements in AI technology and the profound effects these systems are having on industries, politics, creativity, security and everyday life.

The choice acknowledges the innovators and engineers behind the world’s most powerful AI models—figures who have simultaneously inspired optimism and sparked fears over job disruption, misinformation and the future of human control.

The announcement comes after a year dominated by breakthroughs in generative AI, autonomous systems and large-scale deployments across governments and corporations. At the same time, experts and policymakers have raised growing questions around regulation, safety and risks, adding to public anxiety about how far and how fast AI is advancing.

Time’s annual Person of the Year tradition dates back to 1927, recognising the individual or group that most influenced global events, for better or worse. This year's selection places artificial intelligence at the centre of the world stage—both as a force of innovation and as a defining challenge of the era.

Who was in contention

Prediction markets had placed several high-profile candidates in the running. These included AI itself, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, all key figures in the AI boom. Newly elected Pope Leo XIV — the first American pope — also featured among top contenders following the death of Pope Francis.

Political leaders such as US President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and New York Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani were also considered strong possibilities.