Keeping up with who's who in the AI world can be a challenge. There are so many smart people doing really interesting work. We looked at who's making waves on social media in the US for 2025, focusing on those sharing their thoughts and findings about artificial intelligence. It's a good way to see who's driving the conversation and what they're talking about. This list highlights some of the most active AI researchers sharing their insights online.
Key Takeaways
- Lex Fridman is a research scientist at MIT and hosts a popular podcast discussing AI.
- Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, shares updates on AI advancements and company initiatives.
- Sam Altman, co-founder of OpenAI, is a key figure in AI development and shares insights on the field.
- Andrej Karpathy is a well-known AI researcher with a significant presence on social media.
- Jim Fan from NVIDIA shares insights on robotics and AI, including projects like GR00T.
1. Lex Fridman
YouTube Followers: 4.8M
Why Follow: Lex Fridman is a name many in the AI space recognize. He's not just a researcher at MIT, but also the guy behind the popular Lex Fridman Podcast. On his show, he really digs into AI, how humans and robots interact, and all things machine learning. He gets some seriously interesting people on there – think big names from tech, politics, and science.
Fridman's approach is all about breaking down complicated ideas in a way that's easy to follow. He's particularly interested in AI safety, how politics and tech mix, and what the future might hold for all of us.
He often talks about:
- The ethical side of artificial intelligence.
- How AI can be used for good.
- The future of human-computer relationships.
It's pretty clear that Lex Fridman has a knack for getting people to open up about their work and ideas, making his podcast a go-to for anyone wanting to understand the deeper currents in AI and beyond.
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2. Satya Nadella
Linkedin Followers: 12M
Why Follow: Satya Nadella, as the Chairman and CEO of Microsoft, is a major player in the AI conversation. He often uses his social media to talk about how Microsoft is pushing forward with AI, including their big partnerships, like the one with OpenAI. You'll see him share updates on new tech and how it can help people and businesses do more. He also talks about making sure AI is developed responsibly, which is a pretty big deal.
Nadella's posts tend to focus on a few key areas:
- AI Integration: How AI is being built into Microsoft's products and services.
- Partnerships: Highlighting collaborations that drive AI innovation.
- Digital Transformation: Discussing how technology, especially AI, is changing industries.
- Responsible AI: Emphasizing ethical development and global cooperation.
He's really focused on the idea of empowering everyone through technology, and his updates give a good look into Microsoft's strategy in the fast-moving AI world.
3. Sam Altman
X Followers: 3.9M
Why Follow: Sam Altman continues to be a major force in the Artificial Intelligence space, especially with his leadership at OpenAI. He's known for sharing his thoughts on the direction of AI, often touching on topics like ethics and the future of work. His social media presence gives us a look into the thinking behind some of the most talked-about AI developments, like ChatGPT and GPT-4.
Altman is also a big voice when it comes to how AI should be managed. He talks with governments and companies about safety rules and how AI might change jobs and even ideas like universal basic income. It seems like he believes you can push AI forward while still being careful about it.
Here's a quick look at some of his key roles:
- CEO of OpenAI: Led the company to create well-known AI tools such as ChatGPT and DALL-E.
- President of Y Combinator: Significantly expanded the reach of this startup accelerator.
- Founder of Loopt: An early social networking app.
He's definitely one of the key AI influencers shaping the conversation around Generative AI and its impact.
4. Aravind Srinivas
Linkedin Followers: 588.4k
Why Follow: Aravind Srinivas is the CEO and co-founder of Perplexity, a company that's really making waves in the AI space. They're building this knowledge-centric platform, and it's got some serious backing from big names like Jeff Bezos and Elad Gil. Perplexity has put out a conversational answer engine that's pretty neat, and they're not stopping there – they're looking to expand into shopping and even enterprise solutions.
Srinivas is particularly active in discussions around AI adoption, especially in India. He seems really committed to making AI more useful for research and for businesses.
His posts often give us a peek at new partnerships and product updates from Perplexity. It’s interesting to see how they’re trying to make information more accessible and useful through AI.
The focus on a 'knowledge-centric platform' suggests a move beyond simple search, aiming to provide synthesized information and deeper understanding, which is a big deal for how we'll find and use information in the future.
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5. Andrej Karpathy
X Followers: 1.3M
Why Follow: Andrej Karpathy is a big name in the AI world, and for good reason. He's been a key player at places like Tesla, where he led the AI efforts for their Autopilot system, and he was also one of the early folks at OpenAI.
He really knows his stuff when it comes to deep learning and neural networks. What's cool is that he makes complex AI topics pretty easy to grasp, often sharing his thoughts on platforms like YouTube and Twitter. He was even the main teacher for a popular Stanford class on convolutional neural networks, CS231n, which he helped put together.
Karpathy's ability to break down intricate AI concepts into understandable pieces is a big part of why he's so influential. He doesn't just talk about the theory; he connects it to real-world applications, making AI feel more accessible to everyone interested.
He's got a knack for explaining things clearly, which is why so many people follow his work. Whether he's talking about the latest in large language models or how AI is used in computer vision, his insights are always worth checking out.
6. Krish Ramineni
Instagram Followers: 403k
Why Follow: Krish Ramineni is the CEO and co-founder of Fireflies.ai, a company that uses AI to automate meeting notes. He's been recognized by Forbes 30 Under 30 and has a solid background in product development and enterprise software. On social media, Krish really focuses on how AI can boost productivity and spark innovation in the workplace. He often shares his thoughts on what's next for work and how technology can help people do more.
He's a big believer in using AI to make our work lives better.
Here's a quick look at what he talks about:
- AI for meeting efficiency
- The future of work and automation
- Productivity tools and strategies
- Innovation in enterprise software
7. Theo Browne
Youtube Followers: 470k
Why Follow: Theo Browne is a name you'll see popping up a lot if you follow the AI and coding scene online. He's a software developer and CEO who really knows his stuff when it comes to full-stack TypeScript development.
What's cool about Theo is how he shares what he knows. He's active on platforms like YouTube and Twitter, putting out content that covers everything from coding practices to the newest tech trends. You can find tutorials, reviews of different software tools, and just general discussions about what's happening in AI and web development. It feels like he's genuinely trying to help people learn and stay updated.
He's also pretty good at interacting with his followers, doing live streams and posting regularly. It’s a good way to see what he’s working on and get a feel for his experiences in the tech world. If you're into coding or AI, checking out his work is definitely worth it. He's a solid example of someone making a mark in the tech industry by sharing knowledge. You can find more about these top AI researchers in this resource on AI researchers.
Browne's approach to sharing information makes complex topics more approachable for a wider audience.
8. Alexandr Wang
X Followers: 324.1k
Why Follow: Alexandr Wang, the CEO and founder of Scale AI, is a significant voice in the AI space. He's really focused on how AI can be used to speed up the development of new applications. You'll often find him talking about AI's impact on national security and how it affects economic growth and general tech progress. His social media posts frequently show off partnerships with government groups and big tech companies, and he really stresses how important data is for making AI work well.
Wang seems to have a strong belief that the US should be leading the way in AI development. He also talks a lot about how important it is to hire people based on what they can do, rather than other factors. It's clear he thinks meritocracy plays a big role in building successful AI companies.
Wang's perspective often highlights the practical applications of AI, particularly in areas that require robust data processing and analysis. He's not just talking about theoretical concepts; he's focused on how AI can be implemented to solve real-world problems and drive tangible results.
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9. Sebastian Raschka
X Followers: 352.4k
Why Follow: Sebastian Raschka is a name that comes up a lot if you're into machine learning and deep learning. He's really good at breaking down complicated AI stuff so that more people can get it. Think of him as a translator for the AI world. He works as a Staff Research Engineer at Lightning AI, where he helps create learning materials for AI. You might have seen his books, like 'Build a Large Language Model From Scratch' or 'Machine Learning Q and AI'. He's active on social media, sharing his thoughts on LLMs, coding, and what's new in AI research. It's pretty cool how he makes advanced topics feel more approachable. He’s definitely someone to follow if you want to keep up with the field and understand the why behind the latest AI trends. His work often touches on important research papers, like those discussing new scaling laws for LLMs [df99].
10. Greg Brockman
X Followers: 845.1k
Why Follow: Greg Brockman is a big name in the AI world, and you've probably seen his work even if you don't know his name. As President and Co-Founder of OpenAI, he's been right there at the forefront of some seriously groundbreaking AI developments. Think ChatGPT and projects like Stargate – he's involved in making these things happen and sharing what's new with them.
His social media often highlights how OpenAI is pushing the boundaries, not just with the tech itself, but also how it can be used for learning and in different industries. It’s clear he’s all about making technology better for everyone.
Here’s a quick look at what he’s been up to:
- Co-founder of OpenAI: A major player in AI research and development.
- Focus on Innovation: Drives projects like ChatGPT and Stargate.
- Promotes AI Applications: Shares how AI can benefit education and various sectors.
- Active Social Media Presence: Keeps the public updated on OpenAI's progress and achievements.
11. Jim Fan
X Followers:323.6k
Why Follow:Jim Fan is a name you'll see pop up a lot if you're following the robotics and AI scene, especially from NVIDIA's side of things. He's the Senior Research Manager over at NVIDIA, heading up the GEAR Lab. Their whole focus is on embodied AI and building humanoid robots, which is pretty wild stuff when you think about it. He's got a Ph.D. from Stanford, and get this, he was actually OpenAI's very first intern. That's some serious early exposure to the field.
Fan often shares his thoughts on the latest AI tech, and you can catch him talking about projects like GR00T and Cosmos, which are all about pushing the boundaries of what robots can do. He's active on platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn, so if you want to see what's happening at the cutting edge of AI and robotics, he's definitely someone to follow. He really seems to have a knack for explaining complex ideas in a way that makes sense, which is a big deal in a field that can get pretty technical fast. His insights into the future of AI and robotics are always worth a read.
The work being done in embodied AI is fascinating because it's about giving AI a physical presence in the world. This isn't just about software anymore; it's about hardware, movement, and interaction. It's a huge step towards more capable and versatile AI systems.
12. Wes Roth
Youtube Followers:296k
Why Follow:Wes Roth is a creator who really digs into the world of AI and new tech. You can find him on YouTube talking about everything from robots to self-driving cars, often mentioning big names like OpenAI and Google. He's also got a newsletter where he shares the latest AI happenings, so if you want to stay in the loop, that's a good place to check.
Roth's content often highlights the practical side of AI advancements.
He covers a pretty wide range of topics:
- AI news and updates
- Emerging technologies
- Breakthroughs in artificial intelligence
- Robotics
- Virtual reality
- Self-driving cars
He seems to really focus on making sure people understand what's going on in the fast-moving tech scene.
13. Harper Carroll
Instagram Followers:494.7k
Why Follow: Harper Carroll is really making waves in the AI education space. She's an engineer with a background that includes time at Meta and even leading AI at a startup that NVIDIA eventually bought. That's pretty impressive stuff.
What sets Harper apart is her dedication to making AI understandable for everyone. She's got a knack for breaking down complex topics, and you can see it in the content she shares. It’s not just about the tech itself, but how we can all get a better grasp of it. She believes that democratizing AI knowledge is key to its responsible development.
Her social media presence is a great place to learn about AI concepts. She often hosts Q&A sessions, which is a fantastic way to engage directly with people who are curious about artificial intelligence. It feels like she’s genuinely trying to bring more people into the conversation about technology's impact.
Here's a quick look at what makes her a standout voice:
- AI Educator: Focuses on clear explanations of AI and machine learning.
- Experienced Engineer: Brings practical industry experience from companies like Meta.
- Community Focused: Actively engages with her audience to share knowledge.
If you're looking to understand AI better, Harper's work is definitely worth checking out. She's doing important work in making this field more accessible, and you can follow her journey in AI education.
14. Justine Moore
X Followers:124.2k
Why Follow:Justine Moore is a partner at a16z, where she focuses on AI companies. She's got a good handle on the investment side of things, keeping an eye on where the money is going in the AI space.
Moore often shares her thoughts on the latest AI developments and what they mean for society. She seems to have a knack for spotting trends and isn't afraid to offer a bit of commentary on how things are shaping up.
It's interesting to see how investors like Justine Moore are shaping the future of AI by backing promising startups and technologies. Their decisions can really steer the direction of innovation.
She's definitely someone to follow if you're interested in the business and investment side of artificial intelligence. You can catch her insights on AI company investments.
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15. Dylan Field
X Followers:141.5k
Why Follow: Dylan Field, the CEO and co-founder of Figma, is a big name in the design and tech world. You’ll often find him sharing thoughts on how AI is changing the game for creativity and product building. He really seems to care about making design accessible to everyone and how important it is for teams to work together on projects.
Field’s social media presence often highlights his commitment to innovation and supporting the tech community. He’s not just about the big picture; he also talks about the practical side of developing new products. It’s interesting to see how he connects the dots between design, technology, and the people who use it.
He’s been pretty vocal about:
- The role of AI in creative workflows.
- Building collaborative tools that work for diverse teams.
- Making technology more user-friendly and accessible.
- The future of digital design and its impact on various industries.
Field’s perspective is valuable because he’s not just talking about AI theoretically; he’s actively involved in building tools that people use every day. His insights often touch on the human element in technology, which is something we don't always hear enough about.
16. Gary Marcus
X Followers:190.2k
Why Follow: Gary Marcus is a familiar face in the AI conversation, often taking a critical stance on current developments. He's a scientist, author, and entrepreneur, known for founding Geometric Intelligence, which Uber later acquired. These days, he's the Executive Chairman at Robust AI.
Marcus has written several books, including "Rebooting AI," which many in the field consider a must-read. On social media, he frequently shares his thoughts on AI, not shying away from discussing ethical issues and the broader societal impact of new technologies. He's particularly vocal about companies like OpenAI and Nvidia, offering a counterpoint to the more optimistic narratives.
His social media activity often includes:
- Critiques of current AI models and their limitations.
- Discussions on the ethical implications of AI deployment.
- Commentary on the business and societal effects of AI advancements.
- Sharing his own research and publications.
Marcus's perspective often serves as a valuable check on the hype surrounding AI, encouraging a more grounded and responsible approach to its development and integration. He really makes you think about the bigger picture, you know? It’s not just about what AI can do now, but what it should do and how it affects all of us.
17. Kevin Weil
Linkedin Followers: 115.2k
Why Follow: Kevin Weil is currently the Chief Product Officer at OpenAI, a role that puts him right at the center of some of the most significant AI developments happening today. Before joining OpenAI, he had some pretty impressive stints at other major tech companies, including Instagram, Twitter, and Planet Labs. This background gives him a really solid understanding of how to build and scale products that people actually use.
He's known for sharing his thoughts on AI, product strategy, and how technology can be used for bigger goals like global security and sustainability. You can often find him talking about new AI advancements or product launches, and his posts usually show a real drive for innovation and working together. It's not all just work, though; he also shares bits about his family and personal wins, which makes his online presence feel pretty relatable.
Weil's focus on product development within the AI space is particularly noteworthy.
- Product Leadership: Experience leading product teams at major tech firms.
- AI Strategy: Deep involvement in shaping the direction of AI products.
- Cross-Industry Application: Applying AI to diverse fields like security and sustainability.
Weil's journey through different tech giants before landing at OpenAI gives him a unique perspective on building user-focused AI solutions. He seems to really understand what it takes to bring complex technology to a wider audience.
18. Julie Zhuo
Linkedin Followers: 166.1k
Why Follow: Julie Zhuo brings a unique perspective to the AI conversation, drawing from her extensive background in product design and management. As the former VP of Design at Facebook and now Co-Founder of Sundial, she understands how to build user-friendly and impactful technology. Her bestselling book, 'The Making of a Manager,' highlights her insights into leadership and team building, which are incredibly relevant as AI teams grow and evolve.
Zhuo often shares thoughts on how data and design intersect, and how to create effective team dynamics. She's also an angel investor, looking for companies that really push the envelope in efficiency and creativity. It’s this blend of practical management advice and forward-thinking investment that makes her a standout voice.
Zhuo's approach emphasizes that good management isn't just about tasks, but about people and fostering an environment where innovation can truly flourish. This is especially important in the fast-paced world of AI development.
Here's a look at some of her key areas of focus:
- Product Management
- Design Thinking
- Leadership and Team Dynamics
- AI's impact on creativity and efficiency
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19. Conor Grennan
Linkedin Followers: 143k
Why Follow: Conor Grennan serves as the Chief AI Architect at NYU Stern School of Business and is a #1 international bestselling author. A leading expert in generative AI, he specializes in building AI fluency among professionals and organizations through training and strategic guidance. His thought leadership has been featured in major media outlets worldwide.
Conor is also the CEO and founder of AI Mindset, a consultancy dedicated to AI education and implementation. Beyond his work in technology, he brings a strong humanitarian perspective, shaped by his acclaimed efforts supporting trafficked children in Nepal. His unique blend of technical expertise and social impact work has earned him recognition across both the AI and nonprofit sectors.
20. Sarah Guo
X Followers: 118.1k
Why Follow: Sarah Guo is the founder of Conviction, a venture firm investing in AI-native startups and breakthrough technology innovations. A prominent voice in the tech community, she actively shares insights on AI adoption, venture capital trends, and startup strategy. Through her podcast No Priors, she explores the intersection of technology, entrepreneurship, and leadership. Sarah is also passionate about fostering creativity and innovation, often discussing the future of education and AI’s role in shaping new learning experiences for children.
Final Thought
Keeping pace with the rapidly evolving world of AI means following the thinkers who are shaping its future. These twenty researchers and leaders provide invaluable insights, driving the conversation from ethics to innovation. For brands looking to connect with influential voices like these, SocialBook provides the data-driven intelligence needed to forge powerful partnerships. Move beyond guesswork and leverage real-time analytics to ensure your next campaign resonates with the right audience and delivers measurable impact. The future of AI is being built online—be a part of it with a strategic edge.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who are these AI researchers?
These are top people in Artificial Intelligence who are good at sharing their knowledge and ideas on social media platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn, and others. They talk about new AI stuff, how it works, and what it means for the future.
Why are they considered important?
They are important because they are leaders in AI. They invent new things, lead big AI companies, or teach others about AI. Sharing their thoughts online helps everyone learn and understand AI better.
Where can I find them online?
You can find them on popular social media sites. Look for their official accounts on platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn. Many also have personal websites or blogs where they share more.
What do they talk about on social media?
They talk about all sorts of AI topics! This includes how AI is made, new AI tools like ChatGPT, how AI can help businesses, and also the important questions about AI safety and making sure it's used responsibly.
Do they share educational content?
Yes, many of them share educational content. They might explain complex AI ideas in simple terms, share tips for learning AI, or discuss how AI is used in different jobs. It's a great way to learn.
Why do AI researchers use social media?
Being active on social media helps them connect with many people, share their latest work quickly, and get feedback. It's a way to spread knowledge and inspire others interested in AI.