Artificial intelligence is no longer shaped only by engineers and programmers. Today, the future of AI is influenced by a wide range of people — from technology leaders and researchers to ethicists, policymakers, and climate scientists. A recently published list highlights 25 individuals whose decisions and ideas are actively shaping how artificial intelligence develops and how it affects society.

Among the most influential figures are technology leaders who define the direction of large-scale AI development. People like Sam Altman, Demis Hassabis, and Jensen Huang play a major role in determining how powerful AI systems are built, scaled, and deployed. Their choices affect everything from model capabilities to how accessible AI becomes for businesses and everyday users.

Another important group includes researchers and scientists focused on the foundations of intelligence. Figures such as Yann LeCun, Geoffrey Hinton, and Fei-Fei Li have shaped how AI understands language, images, and the world itself. Their work influences not only current systems but also how future models may reason, learn, and interact with humans.

AI is also increasingly shaped by people working on ethics, safety, and regulation. Experts like Timnit Gebru and Joy Buolamwini have brought global attention to issues such as bias, fairness, and accountability in AI systems. Their influence has pushed governments, companies, and researchers to rethink how AI should be developed and who it should serve.

Policy and regulation now play a critical role as well. Political leaders and advisors in the United States, Europe, and Asia are defining rules that will shape AI’s limits and responsibilities. These decisions affect data usage, privacy, transparency, and how AI systems are allowed to operate across borders.

Finally, AI is being shaped by people working at the intersection of technology and global challenges. Researchers using AI to fight climate change, improve healthcare, or accelerate scientific discovery are expanding its role beyond consumer products. Their work shows that AI is not only a commercial tool, but also a powerful instrument for solving real-world problems.

What this growing list makes clear is that the future of artificial intelligence is not controlled by a single company or country. It is shaped by a diverse group of individuals whose ideas, values, and decisions influence how AI evolves — and how deeply it becomes part of everyday life.