The Forbes AI 50 list showcases startups developing the most promising business applications of artificial intelligence — companies with compelling visions and the resources and technical expertise to achieve them. This annual list, which began with an open call for nominations and outreach to hundreds of possible contenders, has expanded its eligibility to include privately-held companies worldwide. The 2023 edition received a record-breaking 796 submissions, with startups such as London-based Synthesia, Tokyo-based RevComm, and Tel Aviv-based ImagenAI making their debut.
Criteria and Evaluation Process
Data partner Sequoia Capital reviews all candidates using an algorithm designed to score companies based on financial performance, company culture, and diversity. The algorithm factors in submission information like revenue gains, customer statistics, historical funding, and valuation, as well as publicly available data like Glassdoor reviews and LinkedIn insights. The top 100 finalists are then vetted by a group of expert AI judges, who assess qualitative considerations like technical potential and strength of talent, narrowing down the list to the top 60. AI investors then review the candidates, providing insider feedback before Forbes editors compile the final AI 50 list, which is ordered alphabetically rather than ranked.
Expert AI Judges and AI Investors
The AI 50 list is evaluated by a group of expert judges with backgrounds in leading public companies or research institutions, as well as a group of AI investors with expertise in the startup ecosystem. The judging panel includes Tanya Berger-Wolf, Thomas Dohmke, R. David Edelman, Usama Fayyad, Sanja Fidler, Anantha Kancherla, Jason Mars, Srinivas Narayanan, Adriel Saporta, Nashlie Sephus, Aishwarya Srinivasan, and Nathan Benaich. The investor panel consists of Konstantine Buhler, Sarah Guo, Saam Motamedi, and Rob Toews.
