Meet INSEAD AI50 - An alumni-led recognition of global AI builders

Independent recognition of INSEAD community advancing AI with real-world impact  across industries, regions, roles and sectors.

SINGAPORE, SAN FRANCISCO and FONTAINEBLEAU, France, Sept. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The INSEAD AI 50, an alum-led initiative, today announced its inaugural list recognizing 50 members of the INSEAD community who are shaping artificial intelligence across finance, healthcare, retail, climate, industrials, media and the public sector. Honorees hail from North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia, reflecting the school's 170+ nationalities and presence in nearly 180 countries. Honorees include founders, executives, board leaders, researchers and educators who turn AI from research into responsible, scaled deployment. Anyone can view the INSEAD AI 50 at INSEADAI50.com. 

"INSEAD leaders focus on tangible outcomes customers can feel. They build, deploy, govern and iterate. This list highlights leaders who turn models into products and products into businesses," said Robert Maciejko, co-founder of the INSEAD AI (alum-led) community and one of the organizers of the INSEAD AI 50.

"AI is moving from hype to execution at remarkable speed. Our global community of leaders, across startups, corporates and institutions, forms a network of learners who help each other cut through the noise and truly understand AI. We are independent and international, with a simple goal: enabling leaders to apply AI effectively, responsibly and at scale," said Fabio Valle, co-founder of the INSEAD AI (alum-led) community and one of the organizers of the INSEAD AI 50.

Why the INSEAD Network Matters

This alumni initiative builds on the strength of the INSEAD network: one school with a global footprint across Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the INSEAD San Francisco Hub that connects the community to the Bay Area ecosystem.

The network includes 70,000+ alumni representing 170+ nationalities in nearly 180 countries. Entrepreneurship is part of the culture. In recent alumni research, 73% of surveyed students and graduates embarked on entrepreneurial ventures after INSEAD. The school is the No. 1 international MBA in Poets&Quants' 2024–2025 ranking and No. 2 on LinkedIn among all MBA programs, reflecting strong career outcomes and network reach. INSEAD has been an early mover in AI executive education, with faculty translating rigorous research into practical programs for leaders.

"At INSEAD, our mission is to develop responsible leaders who transform business and society. It is inspiring to see our faculty and alumni working together to turn AI insight and capabilities into real-world impact. Their efforts reflect the values that connect INSEAD community worldwide," said Francisco Veloso, Dean of INSEAD.

What the INSEAD AI 50 recognizes

Selection emphasizes four criteria:

1. real-world outcomes and adoption

2. innovation in product, science or go-to-market

3. leadership and responsible use

4. potential to scale globally

The list is global by design and spans startups, public companies and academia, with selection weighted toward real-world deployment. Honorees this year include leaders based in the United States, France, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, India, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany, Israel, Canada, Switzerland, Sweden, and China.

Examples include a US developer platform rolling out AI coding copilots to over 100 million developers, a European semiconductor equipment leader using AI to lift lithography yields that power global compute, and an Indian agentic-AI startup turning a "don't try to out-train foundation models" comment from Sam Altman into production-grade enterprise agents. Governments and healthcare are moving too, with a national digital chief accelerating AI across public services and a surgical team using real-time AI guidance to cut complications and time in the OR.

"INSEAD AI is a builder's network. We swap playbooks across markets, pair alumni with operators and researchers, and share what works in the field. The AI 50 celebrates practical progress and raises the bar for what responsible adoption looks like," said Amit Akhelikar, co-founder of INSEAD AI (alum-led) and President, US INSEAD Alumni Association.

"INSEAD's global community is uniquely positioned to translate AI innovation into value for companies and communities. The AI 50 shines a light on builders who pair entrepreneurial drive with strong ethics and execution," said Kristin Skogen Lund, Chair of the INSEAD Board of Directors.

Launch event and publication

Announcement: Thursday, September 25, 2025 at 6:00 PM PT at the INSEAD San Francisco Hub. Event sponsor: Lynx Analytics, a company founded by INSEAD alumni and professors, which offers advanced AI solutions through expert consulting.

Where to view: INSEADAI50.com will publish the full list, profiles and sector breakouts at the time of the announcement. "The alumni network is an engine for action. With 70,000+ alumni in nearly 180 countries, we can move ideas across borders quickly. The AI 50 helps us share what works and lift the whole community," said Frans Blom, President of the global INSEAD Alumni Association.

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About INSEAD, The Business School for the World

As one of the world's leading and largest graduate business schools, INSEAD brings together people, cultures and ideas to develop responsible leaders who transform business and society. Our research, teaching and partnerships reflect this global perspective and cultural diversity. Our global perspective and unparalleled cultural diversity are reflected in our research, teaching, partnerships; as well as in our alumni network of over 71,000 members spanning 172 nationalities.

With locations in Europe (France), Asia (Singapore), the Middle East (Abu Dhabi), and North America (San Francisco), INSEAD's business education and research spans four regions. Our 160 renowned Faculty members from 38 countries inspire more than 1,500 degree participants annually in our Master in Management, MBA, Global Executive MBA, Specialised Master's degrees (Executive Master in Finance and Executive Master in Change) and PhD programmes. In addition, more than 18,000 executives participate in INSEAD Executive Education programmes each year.

INSEAD continues to conduct cutting-edge research and innovate across all our programmes. We provide business leaders with the knowledge and awareness to operate anywhere. Our core values drive academic excellence and serve the global community as The Business School for the World.

Media contact: 
Aileen Huang
Email: [email protected]

About INSEAD AI 50

INSEAD AI 50 is organized by the INSEAD AI (alum-led) community. It recognizes INSEAD students, staff, alumni and professors advancing artificial intelligence with real-world impact and responsible practice. Selection is governed by alumni reviewers and published by the INSEAD AI (alum-led) community.

The INSEAD AI (alum-led) community curates industry learnings, convenes dialogues across industries and connects builders with decision-makers. It is independent of INSEAD.

Media contact:  
Robert Maciejko, co-Founder, INSEAD AI 50 (alum-led),
Email: [email protected]

SOURCE INSEAD