TIME magazine has unveiled its much-anticipated TIME100 AI 2025 list, celebrating the most influential leaders, innovators, and pioneers in artificial intelligence worldwide. This year, three Arab figures earned a spot on the list, highlighting the region’s rising influence in shaping the global AI landscape.
Their recognition signals a powerful shift. The Arab world is no longer just adopting new technologies, it is actively driving them forward.
Meet the Arab Trailblazers
The honorees represent a mix of political leadership, entrepreneurial vision, and scientific expertise:
- ✅ Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan – The UAE’s National Security Advisor and Chairman of G42. He has been a central figure in Abu Dhabi’s ambitious push to become a global hub for advanced technology. Under his leadership, G42 has made significant investments in AI, big data, and cloud infrastructure, placing the UAE on the map as a powerhouse in digital transformation.
- ✅ Tarek Amin – CEO of HUMAIN, one of Saudi Arabia’s largest AI ventures backed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). HUMAIN is building innovative platforms and solutions that aim to cement the Kingdom’s status as a global AI leader. By focusing on scalable technologies, Amin is steering Saudi Arabia’s vision of becoming a central player in the digital economy.
- ✅ Heidi Khlaif – A distinguished Arab scientist and researcher, serving as Chief AI Scientist at the AI Now Institute in the U.S. Her research focuses on the ethical and social dimensions of AI, shaping global debates around responsible use, governance, and policy. Khlaif’s work ensures that human values and equity remain at the forefront of technological advancement.
Why This Recognition Matters
The inclusion of these leaders reflects a deeper narrative, the Arab world is transitioning from technology consumer to technology producer. Their achievements show how regional investments in research, entrepreneurship, and infrastructure are paying off.
This recognition also highlights three important trends:
- ✅ Global Collaboration – Arab leaders are not working in isolation; they are influencing AI development across international institutions and markets.
- ✅ Balanced Progress – The focus is not only on innovation but also on the ethical and social challenges that come with AI adoption.
- ✅ Strategic Vision – Governments and funds in the region are aligning AI growth with national goals. From economic diversification to global competitiveness.
Shaping the Future of AI
From Abu Dhabi’s tech ecosystem to Riyadh’s large-scale AI initiatives, and from U.S.-based research hubs to international policy discussions, Arab voices are now central in shaping the future of artificial intelligence.
The recognition of Sheikh Tahnoun, Tarek Amin, and Heidi Khlaif in TIME100 AI 2025 is more than a personal achievement. It is a signal of how far the region has come, and how much further it is ready to go.
