Helaina Avelar

Written by Helaina Avelar

Published: 23 Jan 2025

40-facts-about-shivon-zilis
Source: Shield.ai

Who is Shivon Zilis? Shivon Zilis is a Canadian technology executive and venture capitalist known for her work in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and neurotechnology. Born on February 8, 1986, in Markham, Ontario, she has made significant strides in the tech industry. Zilis graduated from Yale University with degrees in economics and philosophy and played as a goaltender for the university's ice hockey team. Her career includes roles at IBM, Bloomberg Beta, Tesla, and Neuralink. She has also been a board member at OpenAI and has invested in several tech companies. Zilis is also known for her relationship with Elon Musk, with whom she has three children.

Key Takeaways:

  • Shivon Zilis, a Canadian tech expert, made her mark in AI and venture capital. She co-founded Bloomberg Beta and worked at Tesla and Neuralink, contributing to cutting-edge technologies.
  • With a diverse background and notable achievements, Shivon Zilis has been a trailblazer in AI and tech investments. Her work at OpenAI and leadership at Neuralink reflect her commitment to innovation.
Table of Contents

Early Life and Education

Shivon Zilis has an impressive background that laid the foundation for her remarkable career in technology and venture capital.

  1. 01

    Birth and Early Life: Born on February 8, 1986, in Markham, Ontario, Canada, Shivon Alice Zilis is the daughter of Sharda N., a Punjabi Indian, and Richard Zilis, a Canadian. This diverse heritage has influenced her global perspective.

  2. 02

    Education: Zilis graduated from Markham's Unionville High School. She later attended Yale University, where she earned degrees in economics and philosophy in 2008. Her academic background provided a strong analytical foundation.

  3. 03

    Ice Hockey Career: At Yale, Zilis played as a goaltender on the university's ice hockey team. She holds the school's all-time record for goals-against average, showcasing her dedication and skill in sports.

Career Beginnings

Zilis's career began with a focus on financial technologies, which eventually led her to significant roles in major tech companies.

  1. 04

    Career at IBM: After graduating from Yale, Zilis started her career at IBM in New York. She worked in financial technologies, particularly in developing countries like Peru and Indonesia, helping to build financial systems for small businesses.

  2. 05

    Role at IBM: At IBM, she was involved in projects such as mobile finance strategy, China banking solutions strategy, and Smarter Planet portfolio solution strategy. These roles allowed her to gain valuable experience in tech and finance.

Transition to Venture Capital

Zilis's career took a significant turn when she moved into venture capital, focusing on machine intelligence and early-stage investments.

  1. 06

    Transition to Bloomberg Beta: In 2011, Zilis co-founded Bloomberg Beta, an early-stage venture capital firm funded by Bloomberg L.P. The firm focuses on machine intelligence, reflecting her growing interest in AI.

  2. 07

    Forbes 30 Under 30 List: In 2015, at the age of 29, Zilis was listed on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list of venture capitalists. This recognition highlighted her impact in the venture capital world.

  3. 08

    LinkedIn’s 35 Under 35: She was also named among LinkedIn’s 35 Under 35 list, recognizing her significant contributions to the tech industry.

Roles at Tesla and Neuralink

Zilis's career continued to evolve as she took on roles at Tesla and Neuralink, working on cutting-edge technologies.

  1. 09

    Project Director at Tesla: From 2017 to 2019, Zilis served as a project director for Tesla, Inc.'s Autopilot product and chip design team. Her work contributed to the development of autonomous driving technologies.

  2. 10

    Neuralink Director: Currently, she is the Director of Operations and Special Projects at Neuralink, a neurotechnology company developing implantable brain-machine interfaces. This role places her at the forefront of innovative tech.

Contributions to AI and Technology

Zilis has made significant contributions to AI and technology through her roles in various organizations and her investments in tech companies.

  1. 11

    OpenAI Board Member: Zilis was a board member at OpenAI until March 2023, where she worked closely with Sam Altman and Mira Murati. Her involvement in OpenAI reflects her commitment to advancing AI research.

  2. 12

    Creative Destruction Lab Fellow: Since September 2015, she has been a fellow at Creative Destruction Lab, supporting the growth of Canadian companies in AI and technology.

  3. 13

    C100 Charter Member: Zilis is a charter member of C100, a non-profit organization supporting Canadian technology entrepreneurship and investment.

  4. 14

    Global Community Charter School Board Member: She was a board member of the Global Community Charter School from June 2012 until she left to pursue other ventures.

Investment and Networking

Zilis's investment experience and extensive network have played a crucial role in her career.

  1. 15

    Investing Experience: Zilis has invested in several companies, including Domino Data Lab, Shield AI, Datalogue, Mavrx, InfluxData, Buddybuild, DigitalGenius, and Deep Genomics.

  2. 16

    Investment Network: She is connected to various investors through platforms like Signal, including James Currier (NFX), Satya Patel (Homebrew), and Aileen Lee (Cowboy Ventures).

  3. 17

    Yale University Network: As an alumna of Yale University, Zilis is part of the Yale University Network, which includes over 126 connections.

  4. 18

    IBM Network: She is also part of the IBM Network with 55 connections, reflecting her early career at IBM.

  5. 19

    Creative Destruction Lab Network: With 17 connections in the Creative Destruction Lab Network, she continues to support AI and tech growth in Canada.

  6. 20

    Tesla Network: Zilis is part of the Tesla Network with 12 connections, highlighting her role in Tesla's Autopilot project.

Personal Life and Recognition

Zilis's personal life and public recognition have also been notable aspects of her journey.

  1. 21

    Personal Life: Zilis is known for her relationship with Elon Musk. The two have twins, Strider and Azure, born in November 2021, and a third child born in 2024.

  2. 22

    Net Worth: Her net worth is estimated to be between $5 million and $10 million as of 2022.

  3. 23

    Height and Physical Appearance: Zilis stands approximately 5'6" (167 cm) tall with blue eyes and dark brown hair.

  4. 24

    Zodiac Sign: She is an Aquarius, born on February 8, 1986.

  5. 25

    Nationality: Zilis is a Canadian national.

  6. 26

    Hometown: Her hometown is Markham, Ontario, Canada.

  7. 27

    Schooling: She attended Unionville High School in Markham before moving to Yale University for higher education.

  8. 28

    Educational Qualification: Zilis holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and philosophy from Yale University (2008).

Career Path and Achievements

Zilis's career path has been marked by significant roles and achievements in various tech companies and organizations.

  1. 29

    Career Path: Her career path has been marked by significant roles in various tech companies and organizations, showcasing her versatility and expertise in AI, machine learning, and neurotechnology.

  2. 30

    Machine Intelligence Focus: Zilis has been instrumental in utilizing machine intelligence in her work at Bloomberg Beta and other ventures, contributing to the development of AI-powered companies.

  3. 31

    Artificial Intelligence Interest: Her interest in AI was sparked by reading "The Age of Spiritual Machines" by Ray Kurzweil, which inspired her to delve deeper into the field.

  4. 32

    Travel Experience: During her time at IBM, Zilis traveled extensively to developing countries like Peru and Indonesia, helping to develop financial systems for small businesses and organizations.

  5. 33

    Business Solutions Provider: She has provided business solutions and facilitated partnerships with startups, leveraging her experience in financial technologies and machine intelligence.

  6. 34

    Board Member Roles: Zilis has served as a board member in various organizations, including the Vector Institute in Toronto, Canada, and the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (Amii) in Alberta, Canada.

  7. 35

    Non-Profit Work: Her non-profit work at OpenAI, where she met Elon Musk, has been significant in her career trajectory and personal life.

  8. 36

    Elon Musk Relationship: The relationship between Zilis and Elon Musk has been subject to public interest due to their twins and subsequent child, born in secrecy.

  9. 37

    Public Recognition: Zilis has received public recognition for her contributions to the tech industry, including being named among LinkedIn’s 35 Under 35 and listed on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list of venture capitalists.

  10. 38

    Neuralink’s Growth: Under her leadership, Neuralink has been making significant strides in neurotechnology, aiming to develop implantable brain-machine interfaces that could revolutionize healthcare and technology.

  11. 39

    OpenAI Departure: Zilis departed from OpenAI in March 2023, following Elon Musk's criticism of the organization, which she had been a part of since 2020.

  12. 40

    Continuous Innovation: Throughout her career, Shivon Zilis has demonstrated a commitment to continuous innovation and growth, both personally and professionally, making her a prominent figure in the tech industry.

Shivon Zilis: A Tech Powerhouse

Shivon Zilis has carved out a remarkable career in tech, AI, and neurotechnology. From her early days at IBM to co-founding Bloomberg Beta, she's been a force in machine intelligence. Her work at Tesla and Neuralink showcases her versatility and expertise. Zilis' role as a board member at OpenAI and her investments in numerous startups highlight her influence in the tech world. Her personal life, including her relationship with Elon Musk and their children, adds another layer to her intriguing story. With a net worth between $5 million and $10 million, Zilis continues to push boundaries in AI and neurotechnology. Her journey from Markham, Ontario, to becoming a key figure in the tech industry is nothing short of inspiring. Shivon Zilis is a name to watch as she continues to shape the future of technology.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's so special about Shivon Zilis?
Shivon Zilis stands out as a prominent figure in the tech world, especially known for her work with artificial intelligence (AI) at OpenAI and Neuralink. Her contributions are shaping how we interact with technology and envision the future of AI.
How did Shivon Zilis become involved with OpenAI and Neuralink?
Her journey into the tech industry is marked by a keen interest in AI and its potential to solve complex problems. Zilis's expertise and passion for technology caught the eye of industry leaders, leading to her roles at OpenAI and Neuralink, where she works on cutting-edge projects.
Can you tell me more about her role at Neuralink?
At Neuralink, Zilis is involved in developing advanced neural interface technology. This work aims to bridge the gap between humans and computers, potentially revolutionizing how we treat neurological conditions and interact with digital environments.
What are some achievements of Shivon Zilis in the tech industry?
Beyond her roles at OpenAI and Neuralink, Zilis has been recognized for her influence in the tech industry. She's been featured in lists highlighting influential women in tech and has spoken at numerous conferences about the future of AI and its ethical implications.
Why is Shivon Zilis considered a role model in the tech community?
Many see her as a role model due to her achievements in a field that's still predominantly male. Her success and leadership in AI development and ethical discussions inspire both women and men to pursue careers in technology.
What impact has Shivon Zilis had on AI ethics and safety?
Zilis has been a vocal advocate for responsible AI development, emphasizing the importance of ethical considerations and safety in AI research. Her work includes promoting discussions on how to ensure AI benefits society while minimizing potential risks.
Where can I learn more about Shivon Zilis and her work?
For those interested in diving deeper, numerous articles, interviews, and talks featuring Zilis are available online. Following her on social media or checking out her publications on platforms like Medium can provide insights into her thoughts on AI and technology's future.

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