Elon Musk dominates AI debate, with almost half of all CEO mentions compared to peers, new data shows

• Despite his media dominance, Elon Musk records the lowest positive sentiment at 47%, compared to 81% for Jensen Huang and Sundar Pichai
• Google, NVIDIA, and Microsoft dominate company-level conversations, capturing over 65% of share of voice
• Consumer trust remains fragile, with 80% of the public concerned about AI risks and 70% calling for regulation according to recent global consumer survey

Latest analysis from media intelligence specialists Onclusive reveals Elon Musk accounts for nearly half (45%) of all CEO related AI mentions globally, positioning him as the most influential voice in the AI debate.

While Musk dominates on volume with more than 319,000 mentions, the analysis highlights a more nuanced picture of public perception. Musk attracts only 47% positive sentiment, the lowest among his peers, reflecting polarised reactions to his outspoken style.

By contrast, Jensen Huang (81%) and Sundar Pichai (81%) lead on positive sentiment despite far lower volumes. Sam Altman, second in visibility with 22% share of voice, maintains a healthy 71% positive sentiment, balancing his role as both a cautious industry commentator and evangelist. Satya Nadella (75%) and Mark Zuckerberg (68%) round out the list, with Zuckerberg’s lower rating reflecting  persistent reputational challenges despite significant visibility. These findings suggest that while visibility drives influence, sentiment will determine which leaders the public ultimately trusts to guide AI’s future.

Additionally, despite the dominance of high-profile figures, persistent concerns around public confidence in AI remain. A recent global survey found that four in five consumers worry about AI’s risks, while 70% believe regulation is necessary.

CEO Share of Voice in AI Conversations

(Source: Onclusive 360, global media mentions related to AI January-August)

“AI infrastructure is highly technical and complex. Our data shows that CEOs have become AI’s chief communicators, translating breakthroughs into narratives that policymakers, investors, and the public can understand. However, whether CEOs are adequately addressing concerns among the general public remains to be seen, with consumer trust still a significant barrier that has yet to be overcome. As we reach a wider tipping point for trust in digital platforms and media, the challenge of effectively communicating and informing the public will only intensify. How organisations and business leaders build that trust will have a defining impact on the future of AI” said Jack Richards, Global Head of Integrated & Field Marketing at Onclusive.

Media coverage reflects this imbalance: over the last six months, AI research and development (8.9%), cloud AI platforms (7.7%), and thought leadership (6.4%) have led reporting, compared with just 3.7% for AI safety and responsibility and 2.5% for cybersecurity. This disparity underscores how CEO-led narratives about innovation and investment overshadow public concerns about security, ethics, and responsible AI.

Onclusive’s AI Infrastructure report also examined nine selected AI infrastructure companies, revealing that the corporate landscape mirrors the CEO dynamic with a few major players shaping the narrative.

Company Level Share of Voice

(Source: Onclusive AI Infrastructure Report)

Together, Google, NVIDIA, and Microsoft account for over 65% of all AI infrastructure conversations across social and mainstream media.

Download a copy of the report, ‘AI Infrastructure Leaders 2025’, here.