10 of the top AI companies to work for | Forbes ranking

The rise of automation and artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the business world. It’s reshaping how we work by reducing administrative tasks, increasing employee productivity, and boosting organizational efficiency.

That said, AI is a double-edged sword. While it creates exciting new opportunities, it's also becoming increasingly clear that it will make some traditional roles obsolete. According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), by 2030 AI is expected to displace 92 million jobs globally, while simultaneously creating 170 million new ones. Therefore, for ambitious business school students looking to future-proof their careers, now is the perfect time to join an AI company and get ahead of the curve. 

So, what AI companies should business school students look out for when searching for opportunities? 

Following a public call for nominations and targeted outreach to thousands of eligible startups, Forbes—partnering with Meritech Capital and Sequoia Capital—has released its list of the Top 50 AI Companies of 2025. Presented alphabetically, the seventh annual list highlights some of the most promising privately held AI companies in the world.

From that list, we’ve selected 10 standout companies that are especially well-suited for b-school grads looking to make their mark in the AI space.

Methodology: 

Before we reveal the 10 companies every MBA and business masters student should know about, let’s take a look at how the top 50 were selected.

This year was the most competitive yet, with 1,860 submissions highlighting the explosive growth of AI over the past year alone. 

To whittle them down, Forbes assessed each company based on business promise, technical talent, and use of AI, using both a quantitative algorithm and a qualitative judging panel. The result: 50 top AI companies that Forbes deemed the most innovative and impactful.

So, here are 10 of those firms which should be of particular interest to b-school students and grads. 

10 Top AI companies to work for | Forbes 

1. OpenAI 

One of the most prominent among the top AI companies to be aware of is OpenAI, a $300 billion behemoth focused on developing general-purpose AI that benefits humanity.

With approximately 800 million people now using ChatGPT weekly—owned and powered by OpenAI—and a total of 3 million enterprise users, joining the OpenAI team means being part of something transformative. 

OpenAI has a range of roles suitables for MBA and business masters holders, including positions in marketing, operations, legal, and human resources. 

The company also landed the 13th spot on Forbes ‘Best US Startups To Work For In 2025’, reinforcing the idea that every business school graduate should have OpenAI at the top of their list when exploring career opportunities.

READ: 7 Leading Startup Companies That Sponsor H1B Visas

©Databricks / Facebook

2. Anthropic 

Founded in 2021, AI safety and research company Anthropic is widely regarded as the closest challenger to OpenAI in this emerging space. 

A public benefit corporation dedicated to developing ethical AI aligned with human values, Anthropic offers a rewarding and fulfilling career pathway—especially for business school graduates looking to apply their business acumen and technical skills to drive positive change.

Welcoming applicants from a range of academic backgrounds, Anthropic encourages business school students interested in AI to apply for its Fellows Program for AI Safety Research. Over the course of six months, fellows receive one-on-one mentorship from experts as they explore critical issues in AI safety.

3. Databricks 

With 6,000 professionals already on its team, Databricks is a global leader in data, analytics, and AI.

For business school graduates seeking valuable exposure to the business world, Databricks offers excellent opportunities. For example, both interns and new graduates have the chance to work on high-visibility projects, gaining hands-on experience in a dynamic environment. 

4. Notion

A popular collaborative workplace app designed for individuals and small teams, Notion offers a wide range of opportunities suitable for business school graduates around the world. Roles such as marketing manager and director of sales, for example, make strong use of the strategic, analytical, and leadership skills developed in MBA and business masters programs.

For those still in business school, Notion is also a valuable tool for staying organized. It can be used for scheduling, note-taking, and managing coursework. 

5. Perplexity AI

The free AI search engine Perplexity AI, known for delivering conversational answers to user queries, earned a spot on the Forbes AI 50 list in 2025.

For business school graduates, Perplexity AI offers several promising career opportunities, with roles such as content manager, social media manager, and enterprise customer support specialist currently hiring. 

In a move that further highlights its commitment to the business education community, Perplexity AI recently partnered with the American University’s Kogod School of Business to provide students with access to Perplexity Enterprise Pro AI—making it not just a potential employer, but also a valuable resource for b-school grads.

READ: The 10 Biggest And Best Employers In The US | Forbes Ranking 

6. Decagon 

Decagon AI is a company that provides AI-powered customer support agents for enterprises. It ranks among the top AI companies to work for. 

Having pitched to many well-known brands such as Duolingo, Hertz, and Rippling, Decagon offers an excellent opportunity for business school students seeking valuable industry exposure.

7. DeepL 

Making it into the Forbes AI 50 for the second consecutive year, DeepL is a comprehensive AI language platform used for translation.

DeepL offers employees a variety of benefits, including hybrid working, regular in-person team events, health insurance, parental leave, and an annual training budget for personal development.

Often considered superior to Google Translate, DeepL presents an exciting and enriching opportunity for b-school grads.

8. VAST Data

Recognizing that traditional data infrastructures were not prepared to meet AI’s data needs, VAST Data founder and CEO, Renen Hallak, established the company to provide advanced data storage solutions for businesses.

With clients like NASA, Zoom, and Pixar, VAST Data is set to continue growing, making it a great place for business school grads looking to land a job with future growth potential. 

9. Abridge

Making waves in the healthcare industry is Abridge, an AI tool designed to streamline the documentation process in medical settings, allowing healthcare professionals more time to focus on helping others.

For MBAs with specializations in healthcare, Abridge would be a great fit, enabling them to put their business acumen and healthcare knowledge into action.

10. Harvey 

Harvey, the generative AI platform made specifically for legal professionals, has grown rapidly since its founding in 2022—expanding from 40 to 235 customers, including top US law firms. This make Harvey one of the top AI companies to be aware of today. 

Having secured $300 million in Series D funding, now is a fantastic time to join the team and be part of Harvey’s growth.

10 Top AI companies to work for | Forbes

*The companies listed in this article are ordered randomly and not ranked.