TIME100 AI list 2024: 15 Indians and Indian descendants shaping the future of artificial intelligence

Google was playing catch-up for much of the AI race that began in late-2022 with the launch of ChatGPT. However, Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai, who joined the company in 2004 and was appointed to the top job in 2015, took this hurdle in his stride. In an interview to the TIME magazine, he points out that Google wasn't the first to build a search engine but was the first to create one good enough to attract the lion's share of the market. His point is that being first is less important than having the best product. Google has begun to introduce generative AI tools into products with billions of users, the most visible being Google Search.

Satya Nadella, CEO, Microsoft

Microsoft CEO Nadella's strategic investment in OpenAI in 2019 has evolved into a lucrative partnership worth billions. Microsoft's cloud computing expertise, a cornerstone of his leadership, has been crucial to OpenAI in its efforts to build artificial general intelligence (AGI). His shrewd corporate maneuvering, including his instrumental role in reinstating Altman as OpenAI CEO following a board coup in late 2023, has further solidified his reputation as a skilled leader.

Nandan Nilekani, Co-founder, Infosys and co-founder & chairman, EkStep

Nilekani, renowned for his pioneering work in technology, continues to drive advancements in AI through his role at EkStep, a non-profit foundation dedicated to developing digital public goods. Nilekani, the architect of Aadhaar and co-founder-chairman of Infosys, believes India should not chase the development of LLMs but should focus on creating AI use-cases that benefit every citizen. Now, Adbhut India, a new initiative by Nilekani, is exploring how AI can benefit a country  where nearly one in four people are illiterate.

Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Electronics and Information Technology

Vaishnaw has been acknowledged for his pivotal role in shaping the country’s AI landscape. At the Global IndiaAI Summit 2024 in July, Vaishnaw emphasised the need for comprehensive regulation to address the risks associated with AI and implement necessary safeguards. The government is investing in a substantial AI infrastructure, including over 10,000 GPUs, AI innovation centres, and a focus on high-quality datasets. Under the Rs 10,732-crore IndiaAI Mission, the government aims to support AI innovation and regulation, balancing technological advancement with ethical considerations.

Rohit Prasad, SVP and head scientist of AGI, Amazon

Amazon's Prasad, former head scientist of Alexa, now leads a new AI team with the goal of developing AGI. While lagging behind rivals like Microsoft and Google in the LLM race, Amazon plans to use its extensive resources to build its own LLM. Prasad believes that that the timeline for achieving AGI is less important than the eventual goal itself.

“What matters is the journey that drives us—relentless pursuit of developing the most advanced, trusted and sustainable AI that anyone, anywhere can use with minimal effort,” he told TIME.

Aravind Srinivas, CEO, Perplexity

Srinivas-led Perplexity, an AI-powered search engine, has faced criticism for its practice of summarising websites and diverting ad revenue. Recently, the company launched Perplexity Pages, which generates AI-created reports. However, these reports were accused of plagiarism due to their use of content from various publications without proper citations. In response to these allegations, Perplexity has now made its sources more prominent.

Vinod Khosla, Founder, Khosla Ventures

Khosla, a prominent venture capitalist, believes AI can outperform human doctors, especially after his own medical experience. Frustrated with conflicting medical opinions following a skiing accident, he has invested heavily in AI-driven healthcare companies, including radiology tech firm Rad AI. Despite a decade since his initial assertion, Khosla remains convinced that AI will revolutionise healthcare, making expertise widely accessible.

Anil Kapoor, Actor

Actor Anil Kapoor secured a significant win in the Delhi High Court in September when the court ruled against the unauthorised use of AI to create distorted videos, gifs, and emojis of his likeness. This victory came amid ongoing negotiations between the Screen Actors Guild and Hollywood studios over similar concerns regarding AI-generated replicas.

Amandeep Singh Gill, UN Secretary-General's Envoy on Technology

Amandeep Singh Gill, a leading figure in global AI governance, has been recognised for the second time by TIME for his work. As the UN Secretary General’s Envoy on Technology, he plays a crucial role in coordinating international cooperation on AI, ensuring that the technology is developed and used responsibly for the benefit of all.

Divya Siddarth, Co-founder, Collective Intelligence Project

The Collective Intelligence Project (CIP) was founded by Divya Siddarth and Saffron Huang to address the democratic implications of AI development. They argue that the concentration of AI development in the hands of wealthy tech companies is problematic, as it limits public participation in shaping the future of this transformative technology. CIP aims to empower ordinary people to have a voice in the creation and governance of AI.

Shiv Rao, Co-founder and CEO, Abridge

Doctors are spending significantly more time on paperwork than patient care, a phenomenon known as "pajama time". This burdensome administrative work is contributing to a widespread problem of doctor burnout, which Shiv Rao, the CEO AI-powered medical scribe startup Abridge, warns is a "public health emergency".

Anant Vijay Singh, Product Lead at Proton

Anant Vijay Singh, Proton's Product Lead, is leading the charge against tech giants who are using customer data to train AI. With increasing threats to user privacy, Singh's mission is to harness AI for privacy enhancement. He's building tools that protect user data while still leveraging AI's benefits.

Amba Kak, Co-executive Director, AI Now Institute

Amba Kak, co-executive director of the AI Now Institute, has emerged as a leading critic of the AI industry. While many were swept up in the hype surrounding ChatGPT, Kak focused on the potential negative consequences. She argued that AI would primarily benefit Big Tech companies, further consolidating their power. Under her leadership, the AI Now Institute has dedicated itself to studying the societal implications of AI.

Dwarkesh Patel, Host, Dwarkesh Podcast

Dwarkesh Patel, 23, has become a leading voice in AI podcasting, renowned for his in-depth and technical explorations of the subject. His podcast has garnered praise from industry giants such as Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg, solidifying its status as a must-listen for AI enthusiasts.

Arati Prabhakar, Director, US Office of Science and Technology Policy

Last October, President Joe Biden signed a comprehensive executive order on AI, addressing potential threats to civil rights, privacy, and national security, while also fostering innovation and public service applications. This action was significantly influenced by his top technology adviser, Arati Prabhakar, who had demonstrated ChatGPT to the president six months earlier. Prabhakar's team is tasked with balancing the risks and benefits of AI technology for all stakeholders.