Rather than a conventional Top 100 chart, the Time 100 nominates the leading 20 figures in 5 specific categories: Artists and Entertainers; Heroes and Pioneers; Leaders and Revolutionaries; Builders and Titans; Scientists and Thinkers. Making the list is frequently mistaken as an honour. Time makes it very clear that people are recognised for changing the world, for better or for worse.

In the gallery below, Hotlist reveals two nominees from each of Time’s five categories. Click each thumbnail to find out more about each influential figure and for search links to other notable nominees within their category.