The 2025 TIME100: Meet the World’s Changemakers

In a world grappling with economic uncertainty and rapid transformation, TIME’s forthcoming 2025 TIME100 list isn’t simply a roster of influential individuals – it’s a snapshot of the forces actively reshaping our lives. As the global landscape shifts, marked recently by significant policy changes like the new tariffs announced by former President Trump, understanding who is driving change becomes paramount. TIME recognizes this, and the TIME100, now entering its third decade, remains a vital tool for navigating this complexity.

This year’s edition, a collaboration with Rolex, promises to be the most ambitious yet, expanding beyond the annual list with a day-long summit featuring world leaders and a televised gala broadcast on ABC and streamed globally via Hulu. Notably, TIME is introducing two new franchises focused on philanthropy and digital creators, acknowledging the evolving nature of influence.

The composition of the 2025 TIME100 offers compelling insights. The inclusion of six members of the Trump Administration – the largest contingent from a single administration since 2009 – underscores the current origins of global disruption. A record number of 16 corporate CEOs signal the rise of a business leadership class stepping into a perceived void. Equally significant is the presence of nine individuals championing justice, equality, and democracy, a clear reflection of the stakes involved in current global affairs. The list spans 32 countries, representing a truly global perspective, and features a wide age range, from 22-year-old Olympic swimmer Léon Marchand to 84-year-old Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus.

TIME’s journalistic approach to profiling these individuals is particularly noteworthy. Correspondents embedded themselves in the lives of five cover subjects, offering intimate portraits. Belinda Luscombe’s piece on Snoop Dogg highlights his ability to transcend cultural boundaries in an increasingly fragmented world. Billy Perrigo’s interview with Google DeepMind’s Demis Hassabis explores the implications of artificial intelligence. Sean Gregory delves into Serena Williams’ transition from tennis icon to investor and entrepreneur. Andrew Chow accompanies Ed Sheeran, examining his creative resurgence. And Lucy Feldman speaks with Demi Moore, exploring her evolving perspective on aging and female representation.

Behind the scenes, Dan Macsai and Cate Matthews lead a year-long process of research and debate, culminating in the selection of these 100 individuals. “The stories this project tells change with the headlines,” Matthews explains, “but the one constant we see each year is that a single person’s hard work, idea, or decision can change the world.”

The TIME100 isn’t merely a list; it’s a predictive indicator. In a period defined by uncertainty, it offers a compelling argument that understanding who is shaping the future is the first step towards understanding the future itself. It’s a bold assertion, but one that TIME appears confident in delivering.