Indians in TIME100 Most Influential People in AI 2024 List

In the ever-evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, a new kind of stardom has emerged—one rooted not in the glitter of Hollywood or the power corridors of Wall Street, but in the intangible yet transformative world of algorithms, neural networks, and vast datasets. This year, TIME Magazine’s “100 Most Influential People in AI 2024” list celebrates a cadre of individuals who are not only leading technological innovation but are also defining the ethical, social, and political contours of our AI-driven future. Unsurprisingly, a significant number of these trailblazers come from the Indian subcontinent or the global Indian diaspora.

Topping the list is Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet, whose quiet leadership has not only steered the tech giant through turbulent times but also positioned it at the forefront of AI advancements. Under his tenure, Google’s AI-driven products—from its language models to its self-driving car initiative—have become touchstones for the industry. His counterpart at Microsoft, Satya Nadella, also finds his name etched into this hall of AI fame. Nadella’s leadership has similarly transformed Microsoft into an AI powerhouse, particularly in the realms of cloud computing and enterprise-level AI applications.

While the list celebrates the titans of tech, it’s not solely comprised of the usual suspects. Rohit Prasad, head scientist at Amazon's Artificial General Intelligence division, continues to push boundaries with voice-driven AI. His work with Alexa has revolutionized how we interact with machines, transforming them from passive tools into near companions.

But here’s where it gets truly fascinating—TIME has not confined its accolades to the boardrooms of Silicon Valley. Anil Kapoor, a name synonymous with Bollywood glamour, makes an unexpected yet poignant appearance on the list. Kapoor’s battle against unauthorized AI-generated content using his likeness has made him a new kind of cultural icon—one who is shaping the conversation around AI’s ethical use in media and entertainment. His landmark legal victory in India has set a precedent for actors and public figures globally, fighting the commodification of their identities in a digital age awash with deepfakes and unauthorized digital clones.

The TIME100 list also shines a spotlight on Aravind Srinivas, the visionary behind Perplexity, an AI-powered “answer engine” designed to make information retrieval smarter and more intuitive. Then there’s Amandeep Singh Gill, the UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology, who is spearheading international efforts to create regulatory frameworks around AI, ensuring that this powerful technology benefits humanity while minimizing its risks.

From tech innovators like Vinod Khosla, the legendary venture capitalist behind Khosla Ventures, to activists like Divya Siddharth, co-founder of the nonprofit Collective Intelligence Project, the list brims with individuals using AI not just to generate profit, but to craft a better world.

The inclusion of leaders like India’s Minister of Electronics and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, underscores the geopolitical weight AI now carries. Vaishnaw’s efforts to build India’s digital infrastructure, including its AI capabilities, are reshaping how emerging economies engage with this pivotal technology.

As the magazine itself notes, 91 of the people honored this year were not on last year’s list—an indication of how rapidly the field of AI is evolving. Yet amid this whirlwind of innovation, the consistent thread is the outsized influence of Indian minds. Whether they’re building AI that powers global tech companies or fighting to ensure its ethical use, these individuals represent a future where India and its diaspora are not just participants, but leaders in the global AI narrative.

Indians and Indian-Origin Leaders on TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in AI 2024:

- Sundar Pichai – CEO of Google and Alphabet

- Satya Nadella – CEO of Microsoft

- Rohit Prasad – Head Scientist of Artificial General Intelligence, Amazon

- Anil Kapoor – Actor and AI Ethics Advocate

- Aravind Srinivas – CEO of Perplexity

- Amandeep Singh Gill – UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology

- Divya Siddharth – Co-founder of Collective Intelligence Project

- Anant Vijay Singh – Product Lead, Proton

- Vinod Khosla – Founder of Khosla Ventures

- Ashwini Vaishnaw – Minister of Electronics and Information Technology, India

- Dwarkesh Patel – Host of the Dwarkesh Podcast

- Amba Kak – Co-Executive Director, AI Now Institute

To explore the full list of TIME’s most influential AI leaders, visit: https://time.com/collection/time100-ai-2024/