TIME100 AI 2026 · Shapers
Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Co-founder, Creators Coalition on AI
The actor is now the UN's first Global Advocate for Human-centric Digital Governance, a role created in March 2026.
- Born
- 1981-02-17, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
- Now
- Co-founder, Creators Coalition on AI
- Studied
- Columbia University
Interesting facts
- Early start
Joined a musical theater group at four, playing the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz, then did ads for Cocoa Puffs and Pop-Tarts.
en.wikipedia.org - Detour
Paused acting to study at Columbia University, then dropped out in 2004 to go back to acting.
en.wikipedia.org - Side project
His collaborative media platform HitRecord won him two Primetime Emmys for Outstanding Interactive Program.
en.wikipedia.org - Connection
Co-founded the Creators Coalition on AI with Daniel Kwan and others; signatories include Cate Blanchett and Margot Robbie.
time.com - Turning point
Is now filming a Netflix thriller about AI, bringing his acting and his AI advocacy onto the same subject.
journal.hitrecord.org
Career
- Creators Coalition on AICo-founder2025 to now
- HitRecordCo-founder
Education
- Attended, left without a degree, Columbia University, 2004
Sources1en.wikipedia.org