2026 TIME100 AI: Meet Sunny Gandhi, the advocate pushing for stronger safeguards as AI enters critical systems
Artificial intelligence is moving rapidly into workplaces, classrooms, hospitals and government systems. But as the technology becomes more powerful, another question is becoming harder to ignore: who makes sure AI remains subject to meaningful human control?Sunny Gandhi, co-executive director of the AI advocacy organisation Encode, has been named among TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in AI for 2026. His work focuses on AI policy, safety and legislation, putting him on a different side of the technology race from the engineers building the models.AI needs rules as well as innovationGandhi’s work centres on advocating for stronger safeguards and greater transparency around artificial intelligence.Encode has campaigned for policies that address AI safety and human oversight. Its work has included supporting state-level legislation and pushing for safeguards around AI systems connected to particularly sensitive areas.The underlying argument is straightforward: as AI systems become more capable, society needs mechanisms to ensure that people remain responsible for consequential decisions.Why human oversight mattersAI systems can analyse information at enormous speed, but speed does not automatically mean reliability.In sensitive environments, an incorrect AI output can have consequences far beyond a bad search result. Decisions involving public safety, critical infrastructure or national security can require clear accountability.That is why debates around AI governance increasingly involve questions about human oversight, transparency and testing.Gandhi’s advocacy work places him directly within that debate.A different AI career for studentsFor students, Gandhi’s inclusion in TIME100 AI 2026 is a reminder that artificial intelligence is becoming an interdisciplinary field.Computer science remains central, but the technology also needs people who understand law, policy, governance, economics and ethics.A student interested in AI therefore does not necessarily have to become a machine-learning engineer.Careers can emerge around AI policy, technology regulation, safety research, public-interest advocacy and standards.Why TIME recognised himTIME’s 2026 list includes people influencing AI from very different positions. Its four categories — Leaders, Innovators, Shapers and Thinkers — reflect the expanding ecosystem surrounding the technology.Gandhi represents the policy and advocacy side of that ecosystem.His work raises questions that will become increasingly important as AI systems move from experimental tools into high-stakes environments.How much autonomy should machines receive? When should a human be required to intervene? How transparent should companies be about the behaviour and limitations of their systems?These questions cannot be answered by engineers alone.The bigger lessonThe AI industry is often portrayed as a race between technology companies. But the future of AI will also be shaped by lawmakers, researchers, standards bodies and civil-society organisations.Gandhi’s TIME100 AI recognition reflects that reality.For students entering the field, it also offers a broader definition of an AI career: understanding the technology is important, but understanding what society should do with that technology may be just as important.Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information and statements from the individuals and organisations cited. TOI Education has not independently verified all claims, advocacy positions or policy proposals mentioned in the article.
Source link
