Google CEO Sundar Pichai, chef Vikas Khanna, YouTube CEO Neal Mohan, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, and Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor have been named to TIME magazine’s 2026 list of the 100 Most Influential People.
NEW YORK, NY—In a prestigious recognition of their contributions to various fields, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, acclaimed chef Vikas Khanna, YouTube CEO Neal Mohan, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, and Bollywood star Ranbir Kapoor have been named to TIME magazine’s 2026 list of the 100 Most Influential People.
Released on April 15, the annual TIME100 list celebrates individuals who have made significant impacts on culture, innovation, leadership, and public life. This year’s list also features prominent figures such as former President Donald Trump, Pope Leo XIV, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Artemis II commander Reid Wiseman.
Sundar Pichai was recognized for his pivotal role in expanding the reach of artificial intelligence through various products utilized globally. In his profile for TIME, Andrew Ng, founder of DeepLearning.AI and co-founder of Google Brain, highlighted Pichai’s leadership since becoming CEO in 2015, noting his ability to transform Google’s research breakthroughs into widely used tools. TIME emphasized that Pichai has maintained a startup-like agility at Google while advancing innovative AI products, including Google AI Studio, NotebookLM, Gemini CLI, and Antigravity.
Neal Mohan earned recognition for steering YouTube’s ongoing global growth. TIME described the platform as a hub for diverse content, from NFL games and podcasts to popular creators like MrBeast and CoComelon. Mohan’s blend of technical expertise, business acumen, and creator trust was underscored in his profile, where creator Michelle Khare remarked, “Approachability is one of Neal’s superpowers.”
Vikas Khanna was honored for his profound influence in food, culture, and humanitarian efforts. TIME noted that his work exemplifies how influence can manifest in various forms, including “a meal prepared by chef Vikas Khanna.” Chef Eric Ripert, co-owner of Le Bernardin and a James Beard Award winner, praised Khanna as “a man of extraordinary heart,” emphasizing his use of food as “a universal language to build bridges and foster understanding.” Khanna is also the founder of New York restaurant Bungalow, which TIME described as more than just a dining establishment, calling it “a living expression of storytelling,” where dishes reflect memory, heritage, and shared identity.
Zohran Mamdani received recognition for his political ascent in the United States. TIME noted that the New York mayor has provided the Democratic Party with “a new source of momentum.” Despite facing challenges related to housing policy, finances, and coalition politics, Mamdani has collaborated with New York Governor Kathy Hochul on childcare initiatives and successfully secured federal housing funds.
Ranbir Kapoor was acknowledged for his significant contributions to cinema and storytelling. In his profile for TIME, actor Ayushmann Khurrana remarked that while some actors pursue legacy, Kapoor has become one through his craft. Khurrana stated that Kapoor has enriched the emotional vocabulary of Indian cinema through restraint and authenticity, successfully bringing Indian narratives to international audiences.
TIME’s 2026 honorees are described as “changing culture in unprecedented ways,” reflecting the diverse forms of influence across various professions, generations, and countries. This year’s list showcases individuals who are not only leaders in their fields but also catalysts for change in society.
According to TIME, these influential figures are shaping the future in remarkable ways.