"Artificial intelligence is the new electricity." - Andrew Ng, Co-founder of Coursera
A year of transformation
Time magazine declared the Architects of AI as the 2025 Person of the Year. The publication highlights these creators for delivering thinking machines that have fundamentally reshaped our reality. Editor-in-chief Sam Jacobs emphasized that these individuals had the greatest impact on shaping lives this year, noting their role in designing and building the technology that is now transcending what was once thought possible.
Wowing and worrying humanity
The decision reflects the spirit of 2025 where artificial intelligence roared into view with no turning back. The cover story explores how this technology changed the world in ways that are both impressive and sometimes frightening. It focuses on the sheer power of the tech to transform the present, acknowledging that the influence of these architects is undeniable in every sector of modern life.
Leaders driving the boom
The issue features in-depth interviews with major players in the industry. This includes Jensen Huang, the chief executive of Nvidia, whose chips are currently powering the global AI boom. It also spotlights key investors like SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son. These figures represent the driving force behind the hardware and financial structures supporting the rapid expansion of thinking machines.
Troubling aspects of AI
Time does not shy away from the controversial elements of this technological shift. The magazine explores tragic events, such as the death of a 16-year-old Californian. His parents sued OpenAI, blaming conversations with a chatbot for their son's suicide. This highlights the complex and sometimes dangerous psychological impact these tools can have on vulnerable users.
Other notable finalists
The selection process involved several high-profile contenders. Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope elected after the death of Pope Francis, was considered. Other finalists included President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and New York Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani. Trump had previously held the title in 2016 and 2024.
Summary
Time magazine has selected the creators and builders of artificial intelligence as the 2025 Person of the Year. The issue balances the transformative power of AI leaders like Jensen Huang against significant risks, including a tragic suicide case linked to chatbots, while acknowledging other political and religious finalists.
Food for thought
If the architects of these thinking machines are shaping our reality more than any elected leader, do they bear the ultimate moral responsibility for the individual tragedies caused by their creations?
AI concept to learn: AI Pioneers
AI
pioneers are the scientists and thinkers who laid the foundations of
artificial intelligence across decades. Figures like Alan Turing, John
McCarthy, Marvin Minsky, Geoffrey Hinton, Yann LeCun, Yoshua Bengio, and
Fei-Fei Li shaped core ideas - from machine intelligence and neural
networks to deep learning and data-driven AI. Their work transformed AI
from theory into practical systems powering today’s digital economy.
[The Billion Hopes Research Team shares the latest AI updates for learning and awareness. Various sources are used. All copyrights acknowledged. This is not a professional, financial, personal or medical advice. Please consult domain experts before making decisions. Feedback welcome!]
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