In a year marked by rapid advances and intense global competition in artificial intelligence, Karandeep Anand and Sriram Krishnan have been named TIME Magazine’s 2025 Persons of the Year, underscoring their pivotal roles in shaping the future of this transformative technology and highlighting the contributions of Indian‑American innovators on the world stage. The announcement, published just days ago in December 2025, recognizes both Anand and Krishnan for their leadership in AI development, innovation, and policy – work that has had far‑reaching implications in business, ethics, and national and global strategy.

The annual TIME Person of the Year distinction is one of the most widely followed global recognitions of individual and collective impact. It is typically awarded to figures or teams whose actions have most influenced the headlines, national discourse, or cultural and scientific progress over the past year. In naming both Anand and Krishnan, TIME highlighted the dual nature of contemporary AI leadership – blending technological creation and strategic governance to guide not just how AI works, but how it is integrated into society.

Sriram Krishnan, a Chennai‑born Indian‑American technology executive and investor, has been a central figure in the AI policy and innovation landscape. As Senior White House Policy Advisor on Artificial Intelligence under the current U.S. administration, Krishnan has worked to align federal strategy with cutting‑edge industry developments, coordinating efforts across agencies and with private sector partners. His role in AI policy reflects a larger push to ensure American leadership in next‑generation technologies at a time when global competition, particularly with China, has intensified. He also played a prominent role in advancing initiatives backed by significant investments and national research agendas on AI.

Krishnan’s influence extends beyond policy frameworks; he is also known for his earlier career in venture capital and technology leadership, including co‑hosting influential industry platforms that connected tech innovators with broader audiences. His breadth of experience – from startup ecosystems to national policy arenas – positions him as a bridge between Silicon Valley’s technical talent and Washington’s strategic priorities. The TIME recognition underscores how individuals with multifaceted professional backgrounds can shape both technology and governance.

Karandeep Anand, also featured in TIME’s accolade, has emerged as a leading innovator in AI research and development, particularly in domains that push the emotional and human‑centric frontiers of artificial intelligence. Although his work has been covered less extensively in U.S. mainstream outlets than some policy leaders, reports from international news sources note Anand’s significant contributions to developing AI agents that can understand and respond to human emotions – a notoriously difficult technical challenge that has profound implications for human‑machine interaction.

Anand’s recognition alongside Krishnan reflects the broad scope of what leadership in AI can encompass, from the ethical and policy architecture shaping AI’s role in society, to the technological breakthroughs fueling its next generation of capabilities. Their joint inclusion as Persons of the Year signals that advancing AI responsibly and creatively requires contributions from both visionary engineers and strategic policy designers.

The Indian‑American identity of both honorees also resonates with broader trends in U.S. science and technology sectors, where professionals of South Asian heritage have played increasingly visible roles in driving innovation. Their acknowledgment on the global stage promotes greater recognition of South Asian American contributions to fields essential to the future economy and national security. Such recognition serves both to celebrate individual achievement and to inspire a new generation of technologists and policymakers.

Analysts note that the timing of this recognition comes at a critical inflection point in the AI era, as governments, corporations, and civil society grapple with questions around regulation, ethics, and the socioeconomic impact of intelligent systems. By honoring both a policy leader and a technological innovator, TIME’s choice reflects an understanding that AI leadership is not a single‑dimensional pursuit but a complex interplay of creativity, governance, foresight, and social responsibility.

As Anand and Krishnan accept this distinction, their work continues to influence how AI is developed and governed. Krishnan’s continued engagement with national policy and interagency coordination will shape how the U.S. balances innovation with regulation, while Anand’s technical insights will likely inform ongoing research into more nuanced, human‑aligned AI systems. Together, their recognition as Persons of the Year not only celebrates their past achievements but also casts a spotlight on the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence – where the next breakthroughs will come from collaborative, interdisciplinary leadership.

Key Takeaways About Karandeep Anand and Sriram Krishnan

• Karandeep Anand and Sriram Krishnan have been named TIME Magazine’s 2025 Persons of the Year for their roles in advancing artificial intelligence. 
• Krishnan serves as Senior White House Policy Advisor on AI, driving federal strategy and innovation coordination. 
• Anand is recognized for his pioneering work on AI systems that advance emotional understanding and interaction. 
• The recognition reflects a growing visibility of Indian‑American innovators in shaping global technology and policy. 
• TIME’s choice signals the importance of both technical and governance leadership in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.