Viral Image Leak Sparks Speculation: “The Architects of AI” Named TIME Person of the Year 2025

A viral online image suggests TIME Magazine’s 2025 Person of the Year will be “The Architects of AI.” The prestigious annual cover has not been officially revealed. The official announcement is scheduled for Thursday, December 11.

According to Reuters, an account on X shared an image purportedly found on TIME’s web server. It shows a cover declaring “The Architects of AI” as the honoree. This has fueled intense speculation about the identity behind the collective title.

Betting Markets and Top Contenders for the Honor

Prediction markets had already placed heavy bets on artificial intelligence. As reported by USA Today, Polymarket gave “artificial intelligence” a 47% chance of winning the cover. This was based on data from December 9.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang held the next highest odds at 18%. OpenAI’s Sam Altman followed with 13%. Former U.S. President Donald Trump was in fifth place with just a 3% chance.

The reported leak aligns with the betting market’s favorite. It highlights the year’s overwhelming focus on artificial intelligence advancements. The potential choice signifies AI’s profound impact on technology, culture, and the global economy.

A Symbolic Choice Reflecting a Transformative Year

Selecting “The Architects of AI” would be a highly symbolic move. It recognizes the collective force behind the year’s most disruptive technology. This group likely includes leading researchers, company CEOs, and pioneering engineers.

The choice moves beyond a single individual. It frames the development of advanced AI as a defining human endeavor of 2025. For the public, it underscores how AI has moved from niche tech news to a central force in daily life and global discourse.

The official reveal will confirm if the viral leak was accurate. A choice centered on artificial intelligence would cement 2025 as a pivotal year for the technology. The selection of “The Architects of AI” would spotlight the people reshaping our future.

A quick knowledge drop for you:

Has TIME officially announced the 2025 Person of the Year?

No. As of now, TIME has not made an official announcement. The selection is based solely on a viral image leak from an unofficial source. The official reveal is set for December 11.

Who was the TIME Person of the Year in 2024?

In 2024, TIME Person of the Year was former U.S. President Donald Trump. The magazine cited his dominant return to the political landscape and the profound change he represented.

What are the criteria for being named TIME Person of the Year?

The honor goes to the person, group, or concept that most influenced the world’s events over the past year. It is not necessarily an award for positive influence, but for significant impact.

Who were the top contenders according to prediction markets?

According to Polymarket, “artificial intelligence” led with 47% odds. Nvidia’s Jensen Huang (18%) and OpenAI’s Sam Altman (13%) were the top individual contenders.

What does “The Architects of AI” refer to?

This title likely refers to the collective group of individuals driving artificial intelligence development. It could encompass CEOs, lead researchers, and key engineers at major AI firms and institutions.