Why this ranking matters in 2025

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Artificial Intelligence is not just a tech trend anymore. It’s reshaping business models, global politics, culture, and daily life. In 2025, knowing who the top AI leaders are is part of your cultural literacy.

That’s why we created the Top 200 AI Leaders on Social Media Report 2025 — the first data-backed global ranking of the most influential AI voices across LinkedIn, X (Twitter), YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram.

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If you’ve ever searched “Who are the most influential AI experts?” or “Top AI influencers to follow”, this is your reference.

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👉 Fill out the form to download the full report now.

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How the ranking was built

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Unlike other influencer lists, this ranking is data-driven.

We didn’t rely on opinion. Instead, we analyzed audience size and social media reach across five platforms: LinkedIn, X, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.

To ensure accuracy, we applied Favikon’s methodology:

• Verified profiles: Every leader was authenticated.
• Authenticity checks: Fake or inactive accounts removed.
• Cross-platform aggregation: Followers combined into a single dataset.
• Network analysis: Using Favikon’s Creator Network feature, we mapped how leaders are connected to other thought leaders and top AI brands.

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This means the AI200 report is not just a popularity contest. It identifies the voices with the largest reach and the strongest network effects in the global AI conversation.

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Key insights from the Top 200 AI Leaders Report

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1. LinkedIn dominates AI influence

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More than two-thirds of the AI200 are highly active on LinkedIn, confirming its role as the #1 platform for professional AI content. This is where you’ll find leaders like Andrew Ng, who uses LinkedIn to share learning resources with millions of followers, or Tiffany Janzen, whose practical videos on ChatGPT and productivity reach wide audiences of professionals.

X (Twitter) comes next, used heavily by researchers like Yann LeCun and Eliezer Yudkowsky, who exchange fast commentary and debates on the latest AI papers or policy discussions.

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Meanwhile, YouTube and TikTok are increasingly important for reaching mainstream audiences. Tiago Lemos (Brazil) has built a following of over 2 million by simplifying AI tools, while Lex Fridman attracts millions with long-form interviews that shape how the public thinks about AI.

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2. Global spread of AI influencers

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The United States still leads the ranking with household names like Sam Altman (OpenAI), Satya Nadella (Microsoft), and Fei-Fei Li (Stanford).

But the ranking shows influence is no longer U.S.-only. Yann LeCun (France, Meta AI) is a reference in deep learning. In Brazil, creators like Tiago Lemos and journalist Paulo Silvestre are bringing AI conversations to new markets. Masa (チャエン) and TOMOKIN from Japan are proof that AI commentary in local languages can reach huge audiences. India’s presence is also growing fast, with creators translating AI into applied solutions for one of the world’s largest digital populations.

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3. Gender imbalance persists

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Only around 15% of the AI200 are women, highlighting a persistent gap. Still, some names stand out: Fei-Fei Li (Stanford University) continues to be one of the most cited AI researchers worldwide, Luiza Jarovsky (MIT) leads key discussions on AI governance and privacy, and Tiffany Janzen has built a global following by teaching AI to everyday professionals.

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These voices show the impact women have in AI when visible, but the low percentage underlines the urgency of supporting and amplifying underrepresented profiles in tech.

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4. Role diversity across the ecosystem

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The AI200 confirms that AI influence is not limited to one type of profile:

• Researchers like Fei-Fei Li and Chris Olah translate complex AI concepts into insights that shape the field.
• Founders like Mustafa Suleyman (Inflection, now Microsoft AI) and Thomas Wolf (Hugging Face) represent the cutting edge of applied AI and open source.
• Enterprise leaders such as Satya Nadella (Microsoft) and Lisa Su (AMD) combine technical authority with massive corporate reach.
• Educators and creators like Rowan Cheung (The Rundown AI) and Tiffany Janzen focus on making AI accessible to professionals and the general public.
• Policy and ethics experts like Luiza Jarovsky and Jan Leike drive the critical debates around AI safety, governance, and regulation.

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This mix is what makes the ranking culturally relevant: it mirrors the different ways AI impacts society.

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5. Rising stars gaining traction fast

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The ranking highlights how quickly influence can grow in AI. Natasha Jaques, an AI researcher active on X, has become a widely followed voice on safety and alignment in less than a year. Tiago Lemos went from niche TikTok creator to global AI educator with millions of followers.

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This shows that newcomers can break into the top tier rapidly, thanks to AI’s mainstream rise and the viral potential of platforms like TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and LinkedIn posts.

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6. Networked influence matters

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Beyond follower counts, Favikon’s Creator Network analysis revealed which leaders are truly embedded in the global AI ecosystem. Profiles like Yann LeCun or Thomas Wolf are not just followed — they are regularly cited by peers, engaged with by top brands, and at the center of conversations with other leaders.

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This network dimension explains why some highly authoritative experts don’t appear in the AI200. They may post only on one platform, focus on a narrow research niche, or remain disconnected from global debate. For example, a specialized researcher with a strong academic reputation might not have the reach or connections of someone like Lex Fridman or Rowan Cheung, whose work travels across communities and platforms.

In 2025, true influence in AI comes from reach + authenticity + network effects.

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Why brands should care

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For companies working with AI or targeting AI-savvy audiences, the Top 200 AI Leaders Report is a roadmap. It helps brands:

• Identify credible AI influencers to partner with.
• Segment by niche (AI research, applied AI, robotics, ethics).
• Target by platform and geography.
• Spot fast-growing voices before they peak.

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With Favikon’s monitoring tools, brands can go beyond this snapshot and track influence trends over time.

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Why creators should care

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If you’re a creator in AI, this ranking is both a recognition and a playbook:

• If you’re included: use your AI200 badge to boost credibility in bios, press kits, and brand pitches.
• If you’re not yet included: use the list to benchmark, learn from peers, and identify collaboration opportunities.

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Why this matters for everyone

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For students, journalists, educators, policymakers, and anyone interested in AI, this report is a cultural literacy guide. These are the 200 names you need to know to understand AI in 2025.

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Get the full Top 200 AI Leaders Report

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This article is just a preview. The full report includes:

• Complete Top 200 leaderboard with follower counts and platform mix.
• Country-by-country distribution.
• Platform shares (LinkedIn vs X vs YouTube vs TikTok).
• Spotlight profiles of fast risers.
• Extended analysis on authenticity and network effects.

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👉 Fill out the form to download the full report now.

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Stay informed. Stay ahead. Know who matters in AI today.

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