Time Magazine Names AI Architects as 2025 Person of the Year
Time magazine has named the architects of artificial intelligence (AI) as its 2025 “Person of the Year,” recognising those who ushered in what it calls “the age of thinking machines.” The magazine’s annual feature celebrates individuals or groups who have most influenced global events, for better or worse, during the year.
The cover story explores how AI transformed the world in 2025—often in revolutionary yet unsettling ways. It includes interviews with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, whose chips power the AI boom, and with major investors such as SoftBank chief Masayoshi Son. The issue also examines darker aspects of the technology, including the death of a 16-year-old Californian whose parents have filed a lawsuit against ChatGPT maker OpenAI, claiming that conversations with the chatbot contributed to their son’s suicide.
Reflections on AI’s Human Dimension
AI researcher Fabian Stephany from the University of Oxford praised Time’s choice, describing it as a fitting recognition of the technology’s vast impact. However, he urged that the focus extend beyond prominent figures in Silicon Valley. “AI is not a person. AI wouldn’t exist without people,” Stephany said. “I still advocate for including more humans in this than just those big tech names or big names from the machine learning industry.”
He noted that the current AI revolution is only beginning. “The current wave of artificial intelligence is most likely going to change the world tremendously… there’s still much more to come,” he added.
Stephany also cautioned that society remains at an early stage of understanding and regulating AI, stressing the need for public engagement and accountability. “Ultimately, the decision of where this ride is going to go is up to us,” he said. “If we get away from this image that the technology is ruling us, we are supposed to rule the technology.”
Media Partnerships and Broader Influence
Time’s editorial decision also reflects its evolving relationship with AI. The magazine has been at the forefront of media partnerships with technology firms, signing a multi-year content licensing deal with OpenAI in June 2024. The agreement allows ChatGPT to access and cite Time’s archive, linking users directly to original stories on Time.com.
Over its long history, the publication has chosen figures who symbolise the year’s defining forces. In 2024, Time named then-President-elect Donald Trump as “Person of the Year,” repeating his 2016 selection. Previous honourees have included pop icon Taylor Swift, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, and Tesla for its global influence on technology and transport.
By selecting the creators of AI this year, Time underscores how deeply artificial intelligence has become intertwined with human progress—and the moral choices that will shape its future.
with inputs from Reuters