• by Ray Schultz , December 12, 2024

Time made the news in two related ways on Thursday. First, the publication named Donald Trump as its 2024 Person of the Year, prompting criticism from people who do not think he deserves this honor.

Second, Time announced the launch of Time AI, a platform it developed with Scale AI. And it was immediately applied to the Person of the Year.  

Politics aside, audiences can experience this year’s Person of the Year feature through customizable formats, including a concise summary, in-depth analysis or a personalized narrative in multiple languages,” writes Mark Howard, chief operating officer at Time. 

Time introduced the yearly feature in 1927, claiming to offer “a window into the individuals and movements shaping our world," Howard says. In that sense, the Trump pick was legitimate, given his news imprint in 2024.   

Meanwhile, Time AI offers these features, the publication claims:

• AI Toolbar — This accompanies readers as they read, and offers intuitive access to the platform’s capabilities. 
• Language Translation — Articles can be translated into Spanish, French, German and Mandarin, maintaining style across languages. 
• Summarize — Readers can get a custom-length summary that fits their schedule.  
• Conversational Interaction — A voice-activated system that allows readers to have an interactive conversation with content. 
• Chat-enabled articles — AI-generated prompts that are followed by Ask Me Next questions.  

“Leading the integration of AI into the Person of the Year feels like a full-circle moment — a chance to honor Time’s legacy while pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in storytelling,” Howard states. 

He adds: “The launch of Time AI is just the beginning. As we analyze user engagement, we’ll continue to refine and expand the platform, uncovering new ways to connect with readers eager to explore the intersection of trusted journalism and responsible AI.”