TIME magazine’s recent cover featuring the “100 Most Influential People in AI 2024” has sparked significant debate online, particularly regarding the unexpected inclusion of Indian actor Anil Kapoor and the notable omission of key AI figures like OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.
The TIME cover, celebrating the top influencers in artificial intelligence, showcases a diverse group, including Bollywood star Anil Kapoor, Hollywood actress Scarlett Johansson, YouTuber Marques Brownlee, and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang. This eclectic mix has left many questioning the magazine’s choices, given that Silicon Valley stalwarts such as Sam Altman, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, and Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg were notably absent from the cover despite their significant contributions to AI.
TIME’s list, which is divided into categories like leaders, innovators, shapers, and thinkers, includes all these prominent figures within its pages. Yet, their absence from the cover has triggered a flurry of reactions on social media.
Many users expressed their surprise and frustration over the cover’s content. Hemant Mohapatra, a prominent X user, likened the situation to MBA rankings that seemingly prioritize less relevant institutions. “Having a TIME 100 AI cover without Sam or Elon or Ilya but having Anil Kapoor and ScarJo is basically the AI version of MBA rankings that puts Chicago Booth on top for some stupid reason no one cares about,” Mohapatra commented.
Others were equally bemused, with comments such as, “Scarlett Johansson is definitely more influential than Sam Altman when it comes to generative AI: Said no one. Ever,” and, “Is this satire? I really can’t tell.”
Chris Nicholson, another vocal critic, questioned the rationale behind the cover’s lineup: “How in the world do you do a cover on the hundred most important people in AI and not have Sam Altman? Why is Anil Kapoor on the front page?”
While the inclusion of Kapoor and Johansson might be seen as a nod to the intersection of AI with popular culture, many in the tech community feel it undermines the recognition deserved by leading figures in the field. The controversy underscores the challenge of balancing influential tech leaders with broader cultural icons on such a high-profile platform.
Sources By Agencies
