The prestigious science journal just dropped its annual list recognizing individuals who shaped major scientific breakthroughs this year. Among the ten names making waves globally, two figures stand out from the AI and earth science sectors.

DeepSeek's founder Liang Wenfeng earned his spot on Nature's 10 for 2025, a nod to the groundbreaking work happening in artificial intelligence development. Joining him is geoscientist Du Mengran, whose contributions to earth sciences caught the attention of one of the world's most respected scientific publications.

This recognition matters beyond just personal achievement. When Nature highlights specific individuals in their year-end feature, they're essentially mapping out who's driving the conversations that'll define tomorrow's tech landscape. For anyone tracking where innovation dollars and attention are flowing, this list serves as a compass pointing toward the next wave of breakthroughs.