Top tech CEOs and influencers in 2024 include innovators, founders, and reviewers driving AI, cloud computing, and digital transformation. These visionaries break down complex tech and redefine innovation, shaping the future of technology and highlighting the biggest tech influencers who made a significant impact.
Top Tech CEOs & Influencers in 2024
1. Jensen Huang – CEO of NVIDIA
Key Achievements in 2024
Jensen Huang, under the leadership of Nvidia, has transformed the company into a global leader in AI chips, controlling 90% of the market. In October 2024, Nvidia’s market capitalization briefly surpassed Apple’s, and the company secured a $6.6 billion investment from OpenAI, further boosting its growth.
Why He Made the List
Huang’s leadership has made Nvidia a prominent AI player, solidifying his position as a powerful CEO. His innovative strategies have transformed Nvidia into a global leader in AI development, influencing various industries and shaping the global tech landscape.
2. Lisa Su—CEO of AMD
Key Achievements in 2024
Lisa Su, AMD’s CEO since 2014, has seen the company’s stock price rise 50 times, currently trading at $126. In 2024, AMD powered the world’s two most powerful supercomputers, El Capitan, and entered the AI hardware market, expecting $5 billion in revenue from specialized AI chip sales.
Why She Made the List
Lisa Su, Time’s CEO of the Year 2024, has transformed AMD into a leading semiconductor company by prioritizing high-performance chips over low-power processors. Her leadership style motivates teams with ambitious goals and places customers at the center of the company’s success. Su believes that the previous strategy of incremental improvement is less motivational than focusing on ambitious goals.
3. Marques Brownlee – YouTuber & Tech Influencer
Key Achievements in 2024
Marques Brownlee, also known as MKBHD, is a prominent technology influencer with a YouTube channel of over 19 million subscribers and 750 million views annually. In 2024, he criticized overhyped AI products, including the Humane AI Pin, calling it the worst product he’s ever reviewed.
Why He Made the List
Brownlee, a renowned tech influencer, is known for his straightforward and honest explanations of complex technology. He reviews tech products and leads discussions on AI’s impact. Brownlee’s balanced approach celebrates innovation while addressing problems, making him an influential voice in the tech world. He believes going viral is overrated and is grateful for the opportunities it has provided.
4. Sam Altman – CEO of OpenAI
Key Achievements in 2024
Sam Altman, a $76,000-per-year salary man, has significantly bolstered OpenAI’s position as a leading AI company, with the company’s ChatGPT being a key factor in its recent valuation of $157 billion. Altman’s focus on AI safety and policy shaping has led to significant contributions to global discussions on AI.
Why He Made the List
Altman, a renowned tech CEO, is known for his dedication to ethical AI development and his decision to avoid owning equity in OpenAI, demonstrating his commitment to building trust and ensuring AI’s benefits reach everyone, rather than focusing on personal financial gain.
5. YouTuber Gaurav Chaudhary (Technical Guruji)
Key Achievements in 2024
Technical Guruji, a YouTuber with over 23 million subscribers and 3.8 billion views, was awarded the Best Creator in the Tech Category at India’s first National Creators Awards in 2024. With a channel that simplifies complex technology topics in Hindi and English, he has become a highly influential tech educator.
Why He Made the List
Chaudhary, a prominent tech influencer, has significantly increased tech awareness in India, aligning with the government’s Digital India and Make in India initiatives. His videos keep his audience updated on tech news, product reviews, and trends, bridging the gap between advanced technology and the average user, making technology more accessible.
6. Sundar Pichai—CEO of Google and Alphabet
Key Achievements in 2024
Sundar Pichai, a tech CEO, is known for driving Google and Alphabet to success. In 2024, Google introduced AI Overviews, a significant improvement in 20 years, using generative AI to provide smarter search results and address common issues like hallucinations. Alphabet launched Project Astra, an AI assistant with multimodal capabilities. Despite legal challenges, Pichai remained focused on innovation and appealing the decision.
Why He Made the List
Sundar Pichai, a renowned tech CEO, has led Google and Alphabet through challenges while maintaining a competitive edge. In a Time interview, Pichai emphasized the importance of staying at the forefront of new products, stating that Google was not the first to build search, a browser, maps, or email.
7. Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, X, and Tesla
Key Achievements in 2024
Elon Musk has become the first person with a net worth of $400 billion in 2024, thanks to his partnership with President-elect Donald Trump. His companies, including Tesla, SpaceX, Neuralink, xAI, and The Boring Company, have seen valuations rise significantly. SpaceX’s valuation reached $350 billion after a major insider share purchase, while xAI’s worth doubled to $50 billion. Tesla’s stock has also hit record highs, increasing by 42% since the election, driven by investor belief in Musk’s role in deregulation policies.
Why He Made the List
Elon Musk, a top tech CEO and influencer, is known for his impact on electric vehicles, space exploration, and AI. His strategic influence, combining innovation with political connections, has transformed industries and shaped the future of technology.
The Bottom Line
The 2024 list of top tech CEOs and influencers highlights the innovative leaders driving technological breakthroughs and bringing these innovations to the public. Influencers bridge the gap between technology and people, encouraging its use. Together, they changed the tech market in 2024. It remains to be seen if these leaders will continue leading or if new power players will emerge in the space.
