Key Takeaways:
- The AI sector has undergone a significant transformation since the launch of ChatGPT in November 2022, with advancements in model capabilities, proliferation of agents, and increased investment in AI infrastructure.
- Leaders in the AI industry are now focusing on public safety, trust, and environmental impacts, in addition to building powerful AI systems.
- The 2025 AI Power List recognizes 25 key players who are shaping the next wave of AI innovation, including executives, investors, researchers, and founders.
- These individuals are working on various aspects of AI, such as developing new models, improving existing ones, and addressing the social and environmental costs of AI.
- The list includes people like Sam Altman, Jensen Huang, and Demis Hassabis, who are making significant contributions to the development and deployment of AI systems.
Introduction to the AI Power List
The AI sector has experienced rapid growth and transformation since the launch of ChatGPT in November 2022. The industry has seen significant advancements in model capabilities, proliferation of agents, and increased investment in AI infrastructure. As the industry continues to evolve, leaders are now focusing on public safety, trust, and environmental impacts, in addition to building powerful AI systems. The 2025 AI Power List recognizes 25 key players who are shaping the next wave of AI innovation.
Leaders in AI Development
One of the key players on the list is Sam Altman, co-founder and CEO of OpenAI. Altman has been instrumental in developing and deploying AI systems, including ChatGPT, which has become one of the most widely used consumer AI products in history. Other notable leaders on the list include Jensen Huang, co-founder and CEO of Nvidia, who has built the chip empire that powers the generative AI boom, and Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google DeepMind, who has led the research lab behind Google’s most advanced AI systems.
Addressing Social and Environmental Costs
In addition to developing new AI models and systems, the list also recognizes individuals who are working to address the social and environmental costs of AI. For example, Elliston Berry, an activist, is turning personal trauma into societal change by advocating for legislation to address the harms of AI, including the spread of deepfake porn. Sasha Luccioni, AI and Climate Lead at Hugging Face, is working to reduce the carbon footprint of AI by developing more efficient models and promoting sustainable AI practices.
Investing in AI
The list also includes investors who are betting on the long-term value of AI, such as Aydin Senkut, founder and managing partner of Felicis Ventures. Senkut has invested in several AI startups, including Runway and Mercor, which have become unicorns. Other investors on the list include Alfred Lin, partner at Sequoia Capital, who has invested in several AI startups, including Nvidia and OpenAI.
Conclusion
The 2025 AI Power List recognizes the 25 most influential people in AI, who are shaping the next wave of AI innovation. These individuals are working on various aspects of AI, from developing new models and systems to addressing the social and environmental costs of AI. As the industry continues to evolve, it is essential to recognize the contributions of these leaders and to consider the potential impacts of AI on society and the environment. As Swami Sivasubramanian, VP of Amazon Web Services Agentic AI, notes, "Agentic AI is going to be one of the biggest shifts in technology in our generation. It will fundamentally rewire how we build software, how we build systems, and how customer experiences are going to be transformed."
https://www.businessinsider.com/ai-power-list