Business Insider’s annual list of transformative business leaders highlights executives reshaping industries through technological innovation, with artificial intelligence playing a pivotal role in several profiles. The list features 10 leaders across media, finance, technology, transportation, and labor who are navigating technological advancements and generational shifts.
Fei-Fei Li, known as the “godmother of AI,” stands out as a pioneering force in artificial intelligence. Nearly 20 years ago at Princeton, Li revolutionized computer vision by creating ImageNet, a database of 15 million images that became foundational for deep-learning research. In 2024, Li co-founded World Labs with leading AI researchers Justin Johnson, Christoph Lassner, and Ben Mildenhall. The startup has achieved a $1 billion valuation with $230 million in funding from prominent investors including Andreessen Horowitz, AMD Ventures, and Nvidia’s NVentures.
World Labs aims to push AI beyond large language models by exploring spatial intelligence and 3D applications. In December, the company launched its first project: a tool that transforms any 2D image into a 3D model. Li has also been a vocal advocate for responsible AI ethics and increasing diversity in the field, testifying before Congress and championing inclusion of women and people of color in AI research.
Arthur Sadoun, CEO of Publicis Groupe, represents another dimension of AI transformation in business. When Sadoun took over the French advertising giant in 2017, he faced skepticism for declaring that “the future of creativity was commerce and AI.” Despite pushback from traditional creative agencies, Sadoun transformed Publicis from a communications partner into a business transformation company focused on “personalization at scale.”
Sadoun’s strategy included the $4.4 billion acquisition of Epsilon in 2019, the largest in Publicis’ history, and significant investment in developing an AI platform that competitors initially mocked. Today, Publicis boasts a $27 billion market capitalization, the largest among individual advertising-agency holding companies, with data and media offerings representing half of its sales. The company’s award-winning Orange campaign demonstrated how AI, VFX, and deepfake technology can create innovative advertising.
Other leaders on the list include Cathy Engelbert, WNBA commissioner overseeing the league’s explosive growth with 50% increased attendance and 170% higher ESPN ratings; Anna-Lisa Miller of Ownership Works, promoting employee ownership across 113 companies; and Mike Hopkins of Amazon Prime Video, developing ad-focused entertainment strategies for the digital age.
Key Quotes
Language is important but, as humans, much of our ability to understand and interact with the world is based on what we see
Fei-Fei Li wrote this in an op-ed explaining the importance of visual and spatial intelligence in AI development. This quote encapsulates her vision for World Labs and why moving AI beyond language models into 3D spatial understanding represents a crucial evolution in artificial intelligence.
It’s funny when you look at what happened now
Arthur Sadoun reflected on the pushback he received in 2017 when declaring that the future of creativity was commerce and AI. This quote highlights how his controversial AI-focused strategy, once mocked by competitors, has proven prescient as Publicis now leads the advertising industry in market capitalization.
Our Take
The juxtaposition of Li and Sadoun’s stories reveals two critical aspects of AI’s business impact. Li represents the technical frontier—pushing AI into spatial intelligence and 3D understanding that could unlock entirely new application categories. Her transition from academic research to a billion-dollar startup demonstrates how foundational AI research translates into commercial value.
Sadoun’s journey illustrates the organizational challenge of AI adoption. His willingness to face internal resistance and market skepticism while investing heavily in AI platforms shows that successful AI integration requires executive conviction and long-term vision. The seven-year arc from mockery to market leadership proves that AI transformation demands patience.
Together, these profiles suggest we’re at an inflection point where AI moves from experimental technology to core business infrastructure, requiring both technical innovation and strategic courage from leadership.
Why This Matters
This article highlights how AI is fundamentally reshaping business leadership and strategy across multiple industries. Fei-Fei Li’s World Labs represents the next frontier of AI development, moving beyond text-based large language models to spatial intelligence and 3D applications—a shift that could revolutionize fields from gaming and entertainment to architecture and manufacturing.
The $1 billion valuation and backing from major tech investors signals strong confidence in AI’s evolution beyond current applications. Li’s pioneering ImageNet work laid the groundwork for modern computer vision, and her new venture suggests we’re entering an era where AI can understand and interact with three-dimensional space.
Arthur Sadoun’s transformation of Publicis demonstrates AI’s impact on traditional creative industries. His early bet on AI and data-driven personalization, once ridiculed, has positioned Publicis as the most valuable ad-agency holding company. This validates the business case for AI integration even in fields traditionally resistant to technological disruption.
Together, these profiles illustrate that AI leadership requires both technical innovation and the courage to champion unpopular transformations. As AI continues advancing, executives who can bridge technical capabilities with business strategy will define competitive advantage across industries.
Recommended Reading
For those interested in learning more about artificial intelligence, machine learning, and effective AI communication, here are some excellent resources: