New York-based Google CEO Sundar Pichai, Michelin-starred chef Vikas Khanna, actor Ranbir Kapoor, YouTube CEO Neal Mohan and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani were named this year’s 100 most influential people in the world by Time.
Time magazine on Wednesday released its list of the “100 Most Influential People of 2026,” which includes global pioneers, leaders, artists, innovators and icons.
The list includes global leaders such as U.S. President Donald Trump, Pope Leo XIV, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and 2026 Artemis 2 commander Reid Wiseman.
Time highlighted that the winners on the list are “changing culture like never before” and said that “evolution is inspired by the knowledge that influence comes in many forms, as captured in the 2026 TIME 100: characters imagined by novelist Tayari Jones; a meal prepared by chef Vikas Khanna; photographer Lynsey Addario Capturing moments, Time magazine has featured her work since the war in Afghanistan.”
“We are inspired by the heroics of the Olympians on this year’s list, including Alysa Liu, Hilary Knight and Chloe Kim, as well as talented doctors like Kiran Musunuru and Rebecca Ahrens-Nicklas. As we always say, there is no age requirement for influence. The list includes Huerta, 96, and Huerta, 35 Year-old Balendra Shah, who was elected Prime Minister of Nepal after General Z protested,” it added.
A Time profile of Pichai said “few leaders have done more to bring artificial intelligence to more people than he does.” “Since becoming Google CEO in 2015, he has overseen how Google’s research breakthroughs are translated into products used by billions of people.”
It added that despite Google being 27 years old, Pichai’s leadership “emphasizes startup-like agility to launch innovative AI products” such as Google AI Studio, Notebook LM, Gemini CLI and Antigravity.
A profile written by Andrew Ng, founder of DeepLearning.AI and co-founder of Google Brain, states: “As a result, Google remains a giant in AI deep technology, and its AI systems are reshaping how the world creates and consumes information. In an era when AI is redefining knowledge, work, and power, Pichai’s influence lies not only in what Google builds, but also in how it is used.”
Time magazine’s profile of Khanna described him as “a man of extraordinary soul.”
“His generosity extended far beyond the kitchen, reaching communities around the world with compassion, dignity and a strong sense of responsibility. Vikas was unique in his ability to connect with people from all walks of life, using food as a universal language to build bridges and foster understanding,” James Beard Award winner Eric Ripert, co-owner of Le Bernardin restaurant, wrote in a Time profile of Khanna.
Khanna carries his culture with “enormous pride”, sharing the richness of Indian traditions while making them accessible and meaningful to a global audience.
“With Bungalow, he creates more than just a restaurant, but a living expression of storytelling. Each dish reflects memory, tradition, and the collective voice of his team, providing space for a narrative worth listening to,” the profile says, referring to Khanna’s popular New York City restaurant.
Khanna “reminds us that true impact depends not just on success, but on how deeply we lift up and connect with others,” Ripert said.
Actor Ayushmann Khurrana, writing a profile of Kapoor in Time magazine, said, “Some actors chase legacy, and some make it as an actor through their craft. Ranbir Kapoor falls into the latter category.”
“In an industry as prolific and passionate as Indian cinema, we often measure greatness in terms of decibels, box office numbers, fan frenzy, opening weekends. But every once in a while, an actor changes something quieter but more enduring: our emotional vocabulary as an audience. Ranbir has been making film after film. In a world where acting is often amplified, Ranbir has shown through quiet restraint that our culture has finally learned how to listen to itself and step away from a simple truth,” the synopsis says.
It added that actors like Kapoor become important cultural bridges. “He represents an India that is evolving not only in scale but also in sensibility. Our films are impacting the world. Ranbir is more than just a film star, he is a storyteller, telling global audiences the tales of a fabled, mythical country where epics like Ramayana inspired other civilizations and cultures.”
Time magazine said of Mohan that he “driven” YouTube’s growth and ubiquity. “Now, people watch NFL games, podcasts or ‘Saturday Night Live’ here as much as they watch local content like MrBeast and CoComelon.”
Time adds that leading YouTube requires a variety of separate and often mutually exclusive skills. Mohan “has enough nerdiness to win the respect of software engineers and enough charisma to attract advertisers. He has negotiated deals with the world’s biggest sports leagues, but his enthusiasm has won the loyalty of creators.” The profile quotes American YouTuber Michelle Khare as saying: “Approachability is one of Neil’s superpowers.”
“Time” magazine said that Mamdani gave the Democratic Party “a new source of motivation”, which is what the Democratic Party sorely lacked.
“The second-youngest mayor of the nation’s largest city has his work cut out for him,” Time said, adding that Mamdani’s critics warn his housing agenda could undermine investment, while his ties to key constituencies, including parts of the Jewish community, and the city’s financial constraints will test his ability to put ideas into action.
“So far, the feared exodus of businesses and wealthy residents has not materialized. He also worked with Gov. Kathy Hochul on a child care plan, won federal housing funds and even earned the admiration of President Donald Trump — all signs that he could be a force in Democratic politics in the years to come,” the report said.
This article was generated from automated news agency feeds without modifications to the text.
