TIME announces Altman as CEO of the Year, Taylor Swift wins Person of the Year

November 2023 proved to be a rollercoaster for Sam Altman, co-founder of OpenAI. From being ousted by the company’s board of directors to receiving a job offer from Microsoft, Altman found himself back at OpenAI just five days later. However, as December dawned, Altman’s tumultuous journey took an unexpected turn: TIME magazine named him CEO of the Year. Altman, a Silicon Valley luminary, faced the highs and lows of executive life, navigating a $80 billion rocket ship called OpenAI.

Altman’s firing and swift rehiring had no bearing on his capabilities as a revered executive, guiding OpenAI post the groundbreaking success of ChatGPT-4. Developed by OpenAI, ChatGPT became one of the fastest-adopted technologies, prompting Altman to declare 2023 as the year people started taking AI seriously.

The 38-year-old executive, a fixture in Silicon Valley for a decade, received praise from TIME for his leadership amid the company’s rapid growth. His firing and subsequent reinstatement only underscored his resilience and executive prowess.

TIME also recognized Taylor Swift as Person of the Year for 2023, emphasizing her transformative influence. In a departure from tradition, Swift, a cultural icon, challenged the conventional choices for this prestigious title. Swift’s ability to transcend borders and bring people together in a divided world earned her this accolade. TIME noted her as a symbol of generational change and highlighted her monumental success in 2023 with three No. 1 albums.

Swift’s impact extended beyond music as she encouraged her fans to vote in local elections, drawing ire from Republicans who felt the influence of the Swifties. The Argentinian footballer Lionel Messi, fresh off leading his team to a historic World Cup win, made headlines by joining Inter Miami in the U.S., turning down an offer from Saudi Arabia. Messi’s move, according to TIME, not only showcased his enduring talent on the field but also set a new standard for athlete leverage and empowerment.

Messi’s stellar 2022–2023 club season with Paris St.-Germain (PSG), boasting 21 goals and 20 assists across competitions, culminated in his eighth Ballon d’Or. His decision to join Inter Miami marked a pivotal moment in the world of sports, reflecting not just his prowess but also a paradigm shift in athletes exerting influence over their careers.

In essence, TIME’s recognition of Altman, Swift, and Messi encapsulates a year where leaders in technology, music, and sports wielded substantial influence and left an indelible mark on their respective domains. As Altman steers OpenAI, Swift transforms culture, and Messi pioneers athlete empowerment, 2023 stands as a testament to the dynamic shifts and influential figures shaping our world.

You might also be intersted in – Taylor Swift makes Billboard history with 10 wins, ties record as all-time Top artist