Technology Magazine has named Vasu Jakkal, Corporate Vice President, Microsoft Security, among top ten technology influencers of 2026 “redefining the global economy,” with Jensen Huang, Founder, President and CEO of NVIDIA at the top.
“In an era where technology is no longer a vertical but the very foundation of global industry, the figures who narrate, build and critique this evolution hold unprecedented power,” the UK based technology publication wrote. “These individuals act as the connective tissue between complex silicon breakthroughs and the public’s digital literacy.”
“As fintech matures and AI becomes the primary engine of productivity, these 10 influencers represent the pinnacle of influence, blending deep technical expertise with the rare ability to command the global conversation and move markets with a single post,” it says.
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At Microsoft, Jakkal ranked 7 leads the marketing and strategy for a security business that generates more than US$20 billion in annual revenue.
“Her influence is paramount in a world increasingly threatened by sophisticated cyber attacks,” according to the magazine. Jakkal is celebrated for her “security for all” philosophy, advocating for simplified yet fortified security postures for businesses of all sizes.
By integrating AI into Microsoft’s security stack, she has fundamentally changed how organisations defend their digital estates, making security a proactive business enabler rather than a reactive cost centre, it says.
Jakkal, who joined Microsoft in July 2020, is a passionate champion of building a better, safer, and more resilient world for all. With over 20 years of technology industry experience, Jakkal is a dedicated advocate for diversity and for expanding the opportunities for women in all fields of technology, according to her profile.
An alumna of Stanford University Graduate School of Business, Jakkal earned an MS inElectrical Engineering from University of Minnesota after getting her BE in Electrical Engineering from COEP Technological University, Pune, India.
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The list:
1. Nvidia Founder, President and CEO, Jensen Huang;
2. Open Machine’s CEO and AI Advisor, Allie Miller;
3. OpenAI CEO and CTO, Sam Altman;
4. Tesla, SpaceX, X, xAI CEO Elon Musk;
5. Efi Pylarinou Advisory ’s Fintech and Tech Thought Leader, Dr Efi Pylarinou;
6. New York Magazine / Vox Media ’s Podcast Host and Editor-at-Large, Kara Swisher;
7. Microsoft Security’s CVP, Vasu Jakkal;
8. MV Procu’s CEO and Business Angel, Dr Marcell Vollmer;
9. Independent/CIGI ’s Technology Researcher and Strategic Advisor, Susan Etlinger;
10. MKBHD / The Studio’s Independent Web Video Producer, Marquee Brownlee.