The View From VidCon: 11 Influencers You Need to Know

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Cooking? Sure. Makeup? Of course. Minecraft? We can think of a few hate follows.

When it comes to technology and science, we might not immediately think of “influencers” as being relevant. However, this assumption is incorrect for several reasons. Firstly, these fields significantly impact our future, and secondly, there are numerous individuals with large followings who deserve attention. These creators aren’t just interpreting tech and science; they are often shaping the way we will live in the near future.

When it comes to technology and science, “influencers” might not be the first people you think of, but there are many important ones who are worth listening to. They’re helping us understand these subjects and even shaping what our lives will look like in the future.

At VidCon’s upcoming event in Anaheim on June 19, various influencers from different fields will be highlighted. Some of these individuals, such as science communicator and product reviewer Lamarr Wilson or space educator Alexandra “Astro Alexandra”, will even deliver presentations at the convention, reflecting an effort to involve more educators. Others will attend the event or simply be part of the vast creator community that extends beyond the Anaheim Convention Center – in fact, this community is not confined to any physical location but can be found on our phones, computers, and in our shared thoughts.

In the list that follows, you’ll encounter a selection of individuals. For instance, Dr. Amalina Bakri shares insights about the advancements in cutting-edge cancer research. Mark Rober, who can be likened to Bill Nye for modern times, is a science communicator. Fei-Fei Li, an innovator in AI, shares her expertise on its maintenance with her numerous followers. Molly White and Tristan Harris are advocates for ethical technology use. Lastly, Lu From Magalu is a virtual influencer, although not strictly human.

This version aims to maintain the original meaning while using simpler language and providing more context to make it easier for readers to understand.

This list certainly isn’t all-inclusive, there are many more influential figures to come. However, these individuals serve as a diverse selection of trailblazers who drive innovation and advancement within social media.

While this list isn’t comprehensive, it showcases a variety of key players pushing the boundaries of innovation and progress in the realm of social media. There are numerous others who contribute significantly to our future as well.

According to Sarah Tortoreti, VidCon’s executive, they aim to mirror the diversity found within various online creative communities by considering both the platforms and content genres. In other words, they strive for a wide range of representation across all aspects of the creator ecosystem.

The Green Brothers were the pioneers behind the launch in Century City back in 2010, driven by the vision, as expressed by Hank Green, “to embody and foster the evolution and ethos of the digital video industry.” They are the ones shaping the culture and ensuring a world that embraces technology and science.

In a surprising twist, Doten manages to make complex space topics engaging and easy-to-understand, even on the casual platform of TikTok. From addressing misconceptions about Musk’s statements regarding U.S. astronauts being “stranded” in space, to explaining the immense scale of our universe (“There are trillions of stars and galaxies that we will never be able to reach, and some that we may never even discover”), this 2018 Vanderbilt graduate and former NASA employee brings distant worlds within reach.

DR. AMALINA

237,000+ TikTok followers

Dr. Amalina, a Malaysian-born medical professional and clinical research fellow at Imperial College London focusing on breast cancer and other critical areas, might not initially appear as a typical TikTok user. However, by blending catchy pop tunes (as seen in her hospital work video set to “There She Goes”) with clear explanations about topics such as breast asymmetry, she has emerged as one of the key medical influencers on this ongoing issue.

MKBHD

20M+ YouTube subscribers

If you’re curious about tech products, your journey starts, concludes, and encompasses everything in between with MKBHD, a pseudonym for Marques Brownlee, a 31-year-old tech enthusiast from New Jersey. Whether it’s the latest iPhone, an unknown AI gadget, or everyday items such as earbuds and wallets, MKBHD provides a comprehensive analysis of what works and doesn’t work in a device with a straightforward, approachable style that remains insightful and knowledgeable. Incidentally, do you think that was Tim Cook chatting with him on his channel during Apple’s WWDC24 event? Of course it was! The CEO of Apple recognizes the go-to expert.

JACK CLARK

83,000+ X followers

If you’re looking for comprehensive insights into AI from someone who has immersed themselves in it for years, don’t miss out on Clark. As a co-founder of the prominent AI company Anthropic and a former policy director at OpenAI, Clark boasts a Silicon Valley career that instantly captures attention. In an industry often shrouded in secrecy, Clark is sharing his knowledge freely. His background as a former Bloomberg reporter also aids in this endeavor. On his widely-read Substack “Import AI” and through his social media platforms, Clark tackles the challenge he sees as crucial for the 21st century: making a rapidly evolving technical world understandable to a wide audience.

TRISTAN HARRIS

180,000+ X followers

Maintaining a presence as both a social media influencer and a moral guide is a delicate task, but we’re thrilled that Harris is shouldering this responsibility. A businessperson and previous ethicist in design at Google, Harris established the Center for Humane Technology to serve as a counterbalance to an industry he believes excessively exploits people’s time and feelings. On various social media platforms and his “Your Undivided Attention” podcast, Harris shares insights from within the tech giants about how they impact billions of users – and provides compelling suggestions for reclaiming our humanity amidst these influences.

FEI-FEI LI

4M+ plays on Ted Talks

The internet serves as an incredible platform for captivating skateboarding videos and thought-provoking Ted Talks by individuals like Li, such as “With Spatial Intelligence, AI Will Grasp the Real World”. Li, a previous lead scientist of AI at Google Cloud, established and co-directs the Stanford Institute for Artificial Intelligence Centered on Humans and often discusses how AI can be made more human-focused. Essentially, Li functions as a modern-day Neil deGrasse Tyson in the realm of AI. If you’re interested in understanding the advancements in technology, it’s worth listening to Li’s insights – after all, she’s driving these innovations forward.

LU FROM MAGALU

7.9M+ Instagram followers

In contrast to other fashion and retail creators, the Brazilian figure Lu stands out uniquely – she’s not a real person but a virtual influencer. She’s featured in photos and videos, even working with brands like McDonald’s and Red Bull. Unlike traditional influencers who might have attended high school in Rio, Lu is entirely computer-generated, created by Magazine Luíza, a Brazilian retailer and media company. As AI content continues to grow, Lu could serve as a blueprint for the future of virtual influencers, showing businesses worldwide that you don’t need a physical presence to create an online impact – all you need is relevance.

ALLIE MILLER

1.5M+ LinkedIn followers

If AI significantly impacts the way corporations function, it’s likely that Miller will play a significant role in this change. With her extensive background at tech giants like Amazon and IBM, she has emerged as a leading expert for businesses and individuals aiming to grasp this new business landscape. Her numerous LinkedIn followers can vouch for her ability to guide people through the process of using AI effectively and efficiently, making complex ideas understandable and practical.

MARK ROBER

69M+ YouTube subscribers

Speaking about the YouTube personality, formerly an engineer at NASA/JPL and Apple, now known as Rober. He’s popular on platforms like TikTok with millions of followers. They come to him for fascinating science experiments, humorous pranks (he often plays tricks on people who steal Amazon packages), and yes, the occasional explosion. Rober cleverly utilizes his creator audience to establish Crunch Labs, a company that provides science and engineering kits for children, teenagers, and adults. This way, not only is he entertaining, but he’s also educating a wide audience with his vast following.

MOLLY WHITE

222,000+ Bluesky followers 

In simpler terms, a software engineer named White from Massachusetts gained popularity during the early days of Web3, which was marked by NFTs and cryptocurrencies in 2022. On her journalism platform called “Web 3 Is Going Great,” she critically analyzed the issues within this industry. Even as the crypto sphere seems to have become intertwined with government business at the White House, deflating any potential bubble and clarifying a complex world, White continues her work through her newsletter, podcast, and social media platforms like Citation Needed. Her followers appreciate her for delivering straightforward truths, and we commend her efforts.

LAMAR WILSON

1.1M+ TikTok followers

In a landscape overflowing with tech influencers, Wilson distinguishes himself as unique. He launched his YouTube channel in 2008, immediately demonstrating a charming wit coupled with straightforward opinions. With over 2 million subscribers, Wilson abandoned the standard YouTube widescreen format (though he remains on the platform) to concentrate on TikTok. On this platform, his numerous reviews, unboxings, and other content prove that technology can be both serious and enjoyable.

You can find this article in the June 18 edition of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Consider subscribing by clicking here.

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2025-06-18 18:55