Millennials are driving a wave of nostalgia on social media, reviving memories from a decade ago and sharing images of what many consider a simpler time. But what was happening in the world of tech elites during those years? In 2016, the tech landscape was very different: apps dominated innovation, while today, artificial intelligence sets the pace. Founders of major tech companies were seen as disruptive visionaries, but in 2026, public perception is more cautious regarding the power of billionaires shaping our digital tools. Here’s how the most influential tech leaders have changed from 2016 to today. Elon Musk: from pioneer to dominant figure In 2016, Elon Musk was known for his commitment to clean energy and space exploration, with a net worth of just over $11 billion. That year, he presented Tesla's "Masterplan II," aiming to popularize electric vehicles and create fleets of autonomous cars. While Tesla has conquered the U.S. market with models like the 3 and Y, the promise of self-driving cars is still in development. Musk was also key in founding OpenAI in 2016, with the mission of creating beneficial artificial intelligence for humanity. Today, his fortune exceeds $690 billion, and he maintains significant influence in politics and business, although his relationship with OpenAI has become contentious, even leading him to sue the company and Sam Altman. Mark Zuckerberg: from Facebook to Meta In 2016, Mark Zuckerberg led Facebook, focused on the growth of the social network and digital advertising. The company, now called Meta, has shifted its focus to the metaverse and artificial intelligence. A decade ago, Facebook began facing criticism for its role in politics, especially after the U.S. elections. Today, Zuckerberg has taken a more open stance towards the Trump administration, even incorporating former advisors into Meta. Zuckerberg, who was already a billionaire in 2016, is now the sixth richest person in the world, with a net worth of $214 billion, according to Bloomberg. Sam Altman: from Y Combinator to OpenAI In 2016, Sam Altman was president of Y Combinator, transforming the startup accelerator and launching investment initiatives and scholarships. Alongside Musk, he co-founded OpenAI, which had already raised $1 billion to research AI for the benefit of humanity. Altman also promoted the Voteplz site to facilitate voting in U.S. elections and publicly opposed Trump, although in recent years he has praised his pro-business approach. Jensen Huang: Nvidia and the rise of AI Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, has seen his company transition from a leader in gaming chips to spearheading the artificial intelligence revolution. In 2016, Nvidia chips were already used in AI labs, but today they are essential for training models like ChatGPT and sustaining the digital economy. Huang's net worth has grown from $3 billion in 2016 to $148 billion, placing him among the wealthiest in the world. Bill Gates: philanthropy as a priority Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft, has intensified his philanthropic efforts through the Gates Foundation, aiming to donate most of his fortune in the next two decades. In 2016, Gates was the richest man in the world, with $87.4 billion, focusing on clean energy and eradicating diseases like HIV and malaria, a mission that remains ongoing. Jeff Bezos: from Amazon to Blue Origin In 2016, Jeff Bezos was still at the helm of Amazon, which already dominated e-commerce and was expanding its cloud leadership. Despite criticism over working conditions in its warehouses, Amazon Web Services has maintained steady growth. Bezos was also promoting Blue Origin, his space company, with the vision of moving heavy industry off Earth. In 2025, Blue Origin successfully recovered a booster, getting closer to competing with SpaceX. Bezos stepped down from Amazon's leadership in 2021, divorced MacKenzie Scott in 2019, and married Lauren Sánchez in 2025 in a celebration in Venice. Source: businessinsider.es