The power brokers of AI: Time’s 2024 list and the shifting landscape of influence

Time Magazine’s 2024 list of the 100 most influential people in artificial intelligence highlights the shifting dynamics of power within one of the world’s most transformative technologies.

As AI moves from being a niche pursuit of tech labs to a core component of the global economy, the list reflects a profound evolution in who holds influence in this space. In its second edition, the TIME100 AI reveals not only the expected names at the helm of AI giants but also a fascinating array of voices from entertainment, policy, and ethics—signalling the rapid diversification of the field.

From the lab to the world

The most striking theme of the 2024 TIME100 AI list is the real-world application of AI. As Time Editor-in-Chief Sam Jacobs noted, this year’s list showcases the potential of AI “when it moves out of the lab and into the world.”

Indeed, AI is no longer the sole domain of tech founders and engineers; it is reshaping industries as varied as healthcare, entertainment, and even politics. The list features key players such as Sundar Pichai of Google, whose leadership in integrating AI across Google’s suite of products has been lauded as a major leap forward.

The inclusion of figures like Zack Dvey-Aharon, whose company AEYE Health uses AI to tackle medical diagnostics, illustrates how AI is now central to improving lives on a global scale.

Yet, while the giants of AI continue to dominate, there is growing unease over how much power rests in the hands of just a few companies. Leaders like Pichai, alongside Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg and Microsoft’s Satya Nadella, represent corporations that control the infrastructure underpinning AI development.

This year’s list highlights how these tech titans have become gatekeepers to the future of AI, providing the computing power and financial resources that smaller AI startups rely on to innovate.

The rise of non-traditional influencers

What makes the 2024 list truly compelling, however, is the surprising array of non-traditional influencers now making waves in AI. Among them is Scarlett Johansson, whose inclusion sparked debate.

Johansson’s involvement with AI stems from a dispute with OpenAI over the unauthorised use of her voice in training an AI model. While some might see her as an unlikely figure in this list, her prominence highlights an important shift: AI is no longer just a technological revolution but also a cultural and ethical one.

Johansson’s presence speaks to the growing need for public figures to address the societal impact of AI, particularly when it comes to data privacy and ethical considerations.

The inclusion of younger voices such as 15-year-old Francesca Mani, a campaigner against sexualised deepfakes, illustrates another key trend—the increasing role of advocacy in shaping AI’s future.

As AI becomes more entrenched in daily life, the demand for voices outside the traditional tech sector grows stronger. From Amba Kak at the AI Now Institute to UN Tech Envoy Amandeep Singh Gill, the list reflects the increasing importance of ethics, governance, and global cooperation in AI’s development.

Musk’s absence: A notable exclusion

One of the most talked-about aspects of the list has been the conspicuous absence of Elon Musk, a tech mogul who has been at the forefront of AI innovation with ventures such as xAI and Neuralink. While the omission has sparked widespread debate online, with critics accusing Time of bias, Musk’s absence may speak to a broader shift in the perception of AI influence.

As Time’s editors have made clear, the list focuses on those making a real-world impact with AI in 2024, and while Musk’s contributions to AI through xAI and his broader ventures remain significant, they are seen as part of a broader, long-term vision rather than direct, immediate influence.

In contrast, figures like Sam Altman of OpenAI and Dario Amodei of Anthropic are front and centre, representing the startup labs that have rapidly risen to challenge the dominance of larger tech players. These companies are pushing the envelope in AI research and safety, raising questions about the pace of AI development and its broader implications for society.

Shaping the future of AI

As AI continues to accelerate, the TIME100 AI list serves as a snapshot of where power lies in the sector today. The mix of traditional corporate leaders, creative voices, and policy advocates points to a future where influence in AI will be shared across industries, geographies, and ideologies. It’s clear that as the technology matures, so too will the debate over who gets to shape it.

What remains to be seen is how the dynamic between these power brokers evolves. With giants like Google, Microsoft, and Meta wielding ever-greater influence, smaller, more agile startups will need to continually push boundaries to stay relevant. At the same time, the voices of ethics advocates, policy-makers, and even celebrities like Johansson will likely grow louder as AI becomes more integrated into every aspect of life.

Time’s 2024 list is a who's who of the AI world but perhaps more than this it is a reflection of the complex and rapidly changing landscape of power in one of the most important technological developments of our era.