Time’s Person of the Year Arrived on an Awkward Day for AI

Time magazine’s decision to name the “Architects of AI” as its Person of the Year underscores how artificial intelligence has moved from a futuristic concept to a dominant force shaping the global economy.

The honor recognizes leading figures behind AI’s rapid expansion, including executives at OpenAI, Meta, Nvidia, and other major technology firms. According to Time, 2025 marked the year AI’s influence became unavoidable, touching everything from financial markets and entertainment to education and everyday life.

But the timing of the announcement proved striking. On the same day, AI-related stocks suffered sharp losses, led by Oracle, which warned investors that its AI infrastructure spending would far exceed expectations.

The news sparked a broader sell-off across major AI players, fueling concerns that the industry’s investment boom may be facing a reality check.

Despite the market volatility, Time emphasized that short-term turbulence does not diminish AI’s long-term impact. The magazine highlighted how AI leaders are reshaping industries, redefining productivity, and accelerating technological change at a pace rarely seen before.

By honoring the architects behind these systems, Time framed AI not as a single invention, but as a transformative force that has crossed a point of no return, even as questions about costs, sustainability, and regulation grow louder.