Knowledge Networks unveils AI Policy 100 for 2026

Knowledge Networks and its Regulating AI initiative have launched The AI Policy 100 (2026), naming 100 people shaping AI governance, safety and regulation across government, industry, academia and civil society. The annual list is meant to spotlight the leaders influencing how AI is built, deployed and overseen worldwide.

Why it matters: - The AI Policy 100 spotlights the people shaping the rules, safeguards and institutions that will govern artificial intelligence worldwide. - The list reflects where AI policy power now sits: across governments, regulators, standards bodies, universities, nonprofits and major technology companies. - The recognition tracks influence on issues that affect how AI is deployed in real life, including safety, oversight, competition, privacy and international standards.

What happened: - Knowledge Networks, through its Regulating AI initiative, announced The AI Policy 100 (2026) on August 7, 2026. - The annual recognition names 100 leaders whose work is shaping global AI policy, governance, safety and responsible innovation. - The honorees include policymakers, regulators, researchers and industry executives from the U.S., Europe, Asia, Africa, Canada and the Middle East. - Knowledge Networks said the list is intended to identify the people driving the global conversation on responsible AI.

The details: - Selection is based on measurable influence on AI policy and governance over the past year. - Criteria include landmark legislation and regulation, safety and oversight frameworks, international norms and standards, and sustained thought leadership. - The 2026 class includes officials from national governments and legislatures, data protection and competition authorities, international bodies, standards organizations, universities, research institutes, civil society groups and technology companies. - The honorees include Michael Kratsios, Henna Virkkunen, Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Yoshua Bengio, Fei-Fei Li, Brad Smith, Ashwini Vaishnaw, Josephine Teo and Audrey Tang. - The list also includes U.S. lawmakers and state officials such as Ted Cruz, Jay Obernolte, Ted Lieu, Jared Polis, Rob Bonta, Todd Young, Chuck Schumer, Amy Klobuchar, John Thune and Kathy Hochul. - Other honorees include European officials and experts such as Roberto Viola, Liz Kendall, Ian Hogarth, Anu Talus, Karine Perset, Dragos Tudorache, Brando Benifei, Lucilla Sioli, Marie-Laure Denis and Aleid Wolfsen. - The list includes AI and policy researchers such as Stuart Russell, Arvind Narayanan, Suresh Venkatasubramanian, Alondra Nelson, Marietje Schaake, Luciano Floridi, Anu Bradford, Sandra Wachter, Kate Crawford, Daron Acemoglu and Abeba Birhane. - The honorees also include corporate and civil-society leaders such as Kent Walker, Christina Montgomery, Natasha Crampton, Rumman Chowdhury, Vilas Dhar, Miriam Vogel, Inioluwa Deborah Raji and Jade Leung. - The full list spans 100 names across 2026 and includes officials from India, Singapore, Canada, Nigeria, Rwanda, Taiwan, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, China, South Korea, France, Germany, the U.K., the Netherlands and Italy. - The announcement includes social media links for Regulating AI: LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and X.

Between the lines: - The list shows that AI governance has become a mainstream policy arena, not a niche technical debate. - The mix of sitting ministers, regulators, lawmakers and researchers suggests the next phase of AI oversight will be shaped by cross-border coordination as much as by national law. - The broad sector spread also signals that influence in AI policy is now measured by both formal authority and agenda-setting power.

What's next: - Knowledge Networks said The AI Policy 100 is an annual index, so a new class is expected each year. - The organization will likely continue using the list to convene and spotlight leaders working on AI standards, safeguards and governance. - The honorees' decisions over the next year will likely influence how governments and companies approach AI regulation, safety and deployment.

The bottom line: - The AI Policy 100 is a curated snapshot of where global AI governance is being decided now. It highlights the officials and experts most likely to shape the next wave of AI rules.