Time magazine has named artist Cao Fei and photojournalist Lynsey Addario to its 2026 list of the 100 most influential people in the world. Cao Fei is recognized for her multidisciplinary work exploring digital technology and modernity, while Addario is honored for her decades of courageous reporting from global conflict zones, including her Pulitzer Prize-winning coverage of the war in Ukraine. The list also acknowledges prominent art patrons Susan and Michael Dell.
The inclusion of these figures highlights the significant impact of visual culture on global discourse and the intersection of art, technology, and journalism. By placing a contemporary Chinese artist and a conflict photographer alongside world leaders and tech titans, the list reaffirms the role of the visual arts in shaping our understanding of complex geopolitical and social realities.