Shivon Zilis, a prominent figure in artificial intelligence and venture capital, has made a significant mark in the tech industry. As the Director of Operations and Special Projects at Neuralink, Elon Musk’s brain-chip startup, Zilis’s career is a testament to her expertise and dedication. Beyond her professional achievements, she is also known as the mother of Elon Musk’s secret twins, born in November 2021. With an estimated net worth of $5 million, Zilis continues to be a key player in the fields of AI and venture capital.
Early Life and Education
Born to a Punjabi Indian mother and a Canadian father, Shivon Zilis’s multicultural heritage has profoundly influenced her worldview. During her school years, she excelled in ice hockey, securing a sports scholarship to Yale University. Her academic prowess earned her an additional academic scholarship due to her high grades. At Yale, she played as a goalie for the varsity women’s ice hockey team, achieving one of the best save percentages in the team’s history.
Academic and Musical Interests
While at Yale, Zilis’s interests extended beyond sports. She played the drums and guitar, showcasing her diverse talents. Her passion for literature led her to explore artificial intelligence, inspired by Ray Kurzweil’s “The Age of Spiritual Machines.” The Canadian band Our Lady Peace further motivated her to delve into AI. Although she initially considered returning to Canada after graduation, Zilis was captivated by the history of technological development in the U.S. and decided to pursue a career there.
Career Beginnings at IBM
In 2007, Zilis joined IBM as a Thought Leadership Analyst. She quickly became involved in IBM’s micro-finance initiative, traveling to countries like Peru and Indonesia. There, she developed systems to provide financial services to small businesses in developing nations. Her work included forming mobile finance strategies, China banking solutions strategy, and overcoming disruptions in consumer payments. This experience marked the beginning of her journey into entrepreneurship and venture capital.
Founding Bloomberg Beta
In March 2011, Zilis co-founded Bloomberg Beta with Roy Bahat, Karin Klein, and James Cham. Bloomberg Beta is an early-stage venture capital firm funded by Bloomberg L.P. that focuses on machine intelligence. Zilis’s role in the firm underscored her commitment to fostering innovation and supporting startups. Her efforts earned her recognition, and she was included in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for venture capital in 2015.
Roles and Recognition
Zilis has served on the boards of various organizations, including the Global Community Charter School, Vector Institute in Toronto, and Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (Amii). She has also worked as a Fellow at Creative Destruction Lab and became a Charter Member of C100, supporting Canadian technology entrepreneurship and investment. In 2016, she began advising OpenAI, a nonprofit founded by Elon Musk. By 2020, she was appointed as a board member, one of the youngest to hold such a position.
Personal Life and Relationship with Elon Musk
Shivon Zilis and Elon Musk first met in 2016 after she joined OpenAI. Their professional relationship evolved, and in July 2022, court documents revealed that Zilis and Musk had twins born in November 2021. This revelation came shortly before Musk’s former partner, Grimes, gave birth to their second child. Musk and Zilis reportedly live together in Austin, Texas, and have filed to change their children’s last names to Musk and their middle names to Zilis.
Support and Advocacy
Zilis is known for her support of Musk on social media, often agreeing with his views on topics like utopia and zero-sum games. She has defended Musk publicly, particularly when he faced criticism for moving Tesla out of California during the Covid-19 pandemic. Responding to a tweet from Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher, Zilis wrote about her admiration for Musk’s dedication to a better future for humanity.
Conclusion
Shivon Zilis’s journey from a Yale scholar and ice hockey player to a leading figure in AI and venture capital is inspiring. Her work at Neuralink, OpenAI, and Bloomberg Beta highlights her expertise and commitment to advancing technology. Despite her private nature, her relationship with Elon Musk and their secret twins has brought her personal life into the spotlight. Zilis remains a respected figure in the tech industry, admired for her contributions and unwavering support for innovation.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is Shivon Zilis?
Shivon Zilis is a renowned AI researcher and venture capitalist, currently serving as the Director of Operations and Special Projects at Neuralink, Elon Musk’s brain-chip startup. She is also the mother of Musk’s secret twins.
2. What is Shivon Zilis’s background?
Shivon Zilis was born to a Punjabi Indian mother and a Canadian father. She excelled in ice hockey and academics, earning scholarships to Yale University where she played as a goalie for the varsity women’s ice hockey team.
3. How did Shivon Zilis start her career?
Zilis began her career at IBM as a Thought Leadership Analyst, working on micro-finance initiatives in developing nations. She later co-founded Bloomberg Beta, an early-stage venture capital firm, and gained recognition for her contributions to the tech industry.
4. What are Shivon Zilis’s notable achievements?
Zilis co-founded Bloomberg Beta, served on the boards of various tech organizations, and advised OpenAI. She has been recognized in Forbes 30 Under 30 list for venture capital and is known for her support of technological innovation.
5. What is Shivon Zilis’s relationship with Elon Musk?
Shivon Zilis and Elon Musk met in 2016 through OpenAI. They have twins together, born in November 2021. Zilis has been a strong supporter of Musk’s vision and works closely with him at Neuralink.