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    Remote Work (2026)

    Updated November 4, 2026

    Key takeaway

    Nicholas Bloom is the most backed voice and is placed first on average by ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini and Google AI Mode. Darren Murph, Prithwiraj Choudhury, Job van der Voort and Tsedal Neeley are also named by several engines. The engines favor researchers who study remote work, such as Bloom and Choudhury, and practitioners who built remote companies, such as Murph at GitLab and van der Voort at Remote.

    Mostly agree

    Nicholas Bloom is the leading research voice on remote and distributed work

    Darren Murph is a top remote work practitioner

    Where they differ

    Researchers or practitioners first

      Lists differ below the top

        Verdict

        Gemini and Google AI Mode firmly back Darren Murph, who leads every one of their answers. ChatGPT leads with Matt Mullenweg and Copilot with Ethan Mollick, so the engines are split on the first pick.

        Top ranked

        Nicholas Bloom ranks first on average position and is named in 25 of 33 answers, ahead of Matt Mullenweg and Prithwiraj Choudhury.

        Darren Murph
        100.00%30
        Sara Sutton
        83.33%19
        Brian Elliott
        83.33%22
        Nicholas Bloom
        66.67%30
        Liam Martin
        66.67%22
        Matt Mullenweg
        50.00%19
        Job van der Voort
        50.00%22
        Prithwiraj Choudhury
        50.00%21
        Laurel Farrer
        50.00%17
        Tsedal Neeley
        50.00%27

        How we rank

        This page is built from 45 answers by 5 AI engines. Tools are ordered by how often and how high the engines name them.

        Where each AI engine placed them

        ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini and Google AI Mode all place Nicholas Bloom first on average.

        NameGemini logo
        Darren Murph212
        Sara Sutton455
        Brian Elliott778
        Nicholas Bloom1-1
        Liam Martin-45
        Matt Mullenweg3-3
        Job van der Voort81-
        Prithwiraj Choudhury-64
        Laurel Farrer836
        Tsedal Neeley657

        Related questions

        What engines actually searched

        The sub-queries each engine actually searched before answering.

        Cited, but not mentioned

        18 sites cite this answer without naming anyone

        Full responses

        5 of 5 engines that answered. Full stored text as captured, with dashes shown as hyphens. Nothing is summarised.

        ChatGPT173 characters · November 3, 2026
        1. Nick Bloom
        2. Darren Murph
        3. Matt Mullenweg
        4. Sara Sutton
        5. Lisette Sutherland
        6. Rowena Hennigan
        7. Chris Herd
        8. Laurel Farrer
        9. Chase Warrington
        10. Gleb Tsipursky
        Gemini logo Gemini1,138 characters · November 3, 2026

        1. Job van der VoortTop 25 remote work influencers | Outsource Accelerator

        2. Darren Murph

        3. Laurel Farrer

        4. Liam MartinReport: Top 55 Remote Work Thought Leaders - FlexOS

        5. Sara Sutton

        6. Wade Foster

        7. Brian ElliottReport: Top 55 Remote Work Thought Leaders - FlexOS

        8. Annie DeanReport: Top 55 Remote Work Thought Leaders - FlexOS

        9. Erica Dhawan

        10. Sacha Connor

        Google AI Mode2,283 characters · November 3, 2026

        Based on industry standing, public research, institutional leadership, and recognized organizational advocacy in the space of remote and distributed work, here are the top 10 individual figures ranked from most to least influential: Chase Warrington - Head of Operations at Todoist | LinkedIn Top Voice | Global Top 20 Future of Work Leader | Host of About Abroad Podcast | Forbes Business Council | Modern Workplace Advisor, Writer, & Speaker | LinkedInNick Bloom - Stanford Professor | Speaker on work from homeDarren MurphArticles by Sara Sutton - FlexJobs

        1. Nick Bloom
        2. Darren Murph
        3. Sid Sijbrandij
        4. Prithwiraj Choudhury
        5. Sara Sutton
        6. Chase Warrington
        7. Liam Martin
        8. Brian Elliott
        9. Laurence Bradford
        10. Jacob Morgan Nick Bloom - Stanford Professor | Speaker on work from homeDarren MurphSid Sijbrandij - Co-founder & Executive Chair at GitLab IncPrithwiraj Choudhury on the Future of Remote Work | Harvard Kennedy SchoolArticles by Sara Sutton - FlexJobsChase Warrington - Head of Operations at Todoist | LinkedIn Top Voice | Global Top 20 Future of Work Leader | Host of About Abroad Podcast | Forbes Business Council | Modern Workplace Advisor, Writer, & Speaker | LinkedInRunning Remote: Master the Lessons from the World's MostReinventing work starts with redefining company culture - SlackGet digital skills, be happy | Learn to Code With Me

        If you'd like, I can provide a brief summary of the core framework or contribution that made each of these individuals notable in the distributed work movement.

        Perplexity165 characters · October 19, 2026
        1. Jason Fried
        2. Job van der Voort
        3. Nick Bloom
        4. Rowena Hennigan
        5. Darren Murph
        6. Liam Martin
        7. Meghan Biro
        8. David Blay Tapia
        9. Anne Bibb
        10. Egor Borushko
        Copilot logo Copilot4,443 characters · October 10, 2026

        Top 10 most influential voices on remote & distributed work (ranked):

        1. Ethan Mollick

        2. Rahul Subramaniam

        3. Leslie Perlow

        4. Job van der Voort

        5. Marc Benioff

        6. Todd Ramsey

        7. Shannon Ramsey

        8. Al Dea

        9. Manuel da Silva

        10. Dante Disparte

        Why these individuals are ranked

        Key Takeaways

        • This ranking blends academic researchers, CEOs, and practitioners who actively shape remote work policies, tools, and culture.

        • Mollick, Subramaniam, and Perlow stand out as the most influential due to their combination of research, leadership, and global recognition.

        • Van der Voort and Benioff represent the infrastructure and corporate adoption side, ensuring remote work scales globally.

        • The remaining leaders contribute through culture, communication, and innovation, making them essential voices in the distributed work conversation.

        Would you like me to also highlight emerging voices (digital nomad influencers, grassroots community leaders) who are shaping remote work culture outside of academia and corporate leadership?

        Your question will include this prompt's context: Who are the most influential voices in Remote & distributed work?