Shivon Zilis was born on February 8, 1986, in Markham, Ontario, Canada, to a Punjabi Indian mother and a Caucasian father. She attended Unionville High School in Markham before enrolling at Yale University. At Yale, she earned degrees in economics and philosophy in 2008. During her time there, Zilis was a standout goaltender for the Yale ice hockey team, setting a school record for the lowest goals-against average.
Contents
- 1 Professional Beginnings
- 2 Venture Capital and AI Focus
- 3 Roles at OpenAI and Neuralink
- 4 Contributions to AI Ethics and Oversight
- 5 Shivon Zilis Professional Career
- 6 Role in Venture Capital
- 7 Achievements and Contributions
- 8 Shivon Zilis Personal Life
- 9 Public Engagements and Thought Leadership
- 10 Recognition and Influence
- 11 Continued Impact in AI
- 12 Shivon Zilis Social Acounts
- 13 Shivon Zilis Net Worth
- 14 Conclusion
Professional Beginnings
After graduating, Zilis commenced her career at IBM in New York, focusing on financial technologies aimed at addressing the needs of developing countries, including projects in Peru and Indonesia. Her work during this period highlighted her commitment to leveraging technology for global development.
Venture Capital and AI Focus
From 2012 to 2018, Zilis was a founding investor and partner at Bloomberg Beta, a venture capital firm backed by Bloomberg L.P. At Bloomberg Beta, she concentrated on machine intelligence investments, underscoring her dedication to advancing artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. Her contributions led to her inclusion in Forbes’ “30 Under 30” list in the venture capital category in 2015.
Roles at OpenAI and Neuralink
Zilis’s passion for AI propelled her to significant roles in prominent organizations. She served as a board member and advisor at OpenAI, a leading AI research institution, until 2023. In 2017, she joined Neuralink, Elon Musk’s neurotechnology company, as Director of Operations and Special Projects. In this capacity, she has been instrumental in advancing Neuralink’s mission to develop brain-computer interfaces, aiming to revolutionize human-computer interaction.
Contributions to AI Ethics and Oversight
Beyond her corporate roles, Zilis has been an advocate for ethical considerations in AI development. She has emphasized the necessity for oversight and responsible innovation in the AI sector, participating in discussions and forums that address these critical issues.
Shivon Zilis Professional Career
Zilis has built a successful career, starting in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). Her first major role in the tech industry was at the investment firm Neuralink, co-founded by Elon Musk. As a project director, she worked on advancing the company’s AI and neuroscience-related projects. Zilis’ expertise in AI and neural technology made her an important figure in pushing Neuralink’s goals forward.
She later worked at OpenAI, another company with deep connections to Elon Musk. OpenAI, founded with the mission of ensuring that artificial general intelligence benefits all of humanity, was another milestone in Zilis’ career, where she helped expand its research and development efforts.
Role in Venture Capital
Shivon Zilis is also an active investor and venture capitalist, with a focus on AI-driven companies. She is a partner at Bloomberg Beta, the venture capital arm of Bloomberg, where she invested in and guided several startups working on artificial intelligence and machine learning projects. Her investment decisions reflect her deep understanding of the future potential of AI and the ways it will transform industries ranging from healthcare to transportation.
Achievements and Contributions
- Neuralink and OpenAI: Zilis played a pivotal role in shaping the AI initiatives at both companies, contributing to significant advancements in their respective fields.
- Venture Capital: Through her work at Bloomberg Beta, she helped guide companies developing next-generation technologies, especially in AI, helping to launch and support ventures that are shaping the future.
- Gender Equality Advocate: Zilis is also an advocate for women in tech, encouraging young women to pursue careers in science and technology fields. As a woman navigating a male-dominated industry, she serves as a role model for aspiring tech leaders.
Shivon Zilis Personal Life
In July 2022, court documents revealed that Zilis and Elon Musk had twins in November 2021. The children were reportedly born via in vitro fertilization (IVF). According to court filings for registering the twins’ names, Musk and Zilis listed the same address in Austin. In September 2023, biographer Walter Isaacson confirmed the names of the twins: a son named Strider and a daughter named Azure. On February 28, 2025, Zilis announced the birth of her fourth child, a son conceived via IVF with Musk.
Public Engagements and Thought Leadership
Zilis has actively engaged in public discourse on AI and technology. She has delivered talks and participated in interviews, sharing insights on the current state and future prospects of machine intelligence. Her perspectives contribute to a broader understanding of AI’s impact on society and the importance of guiding its development responsibly.
Recognition and Influence
Throughout her career, Zilis has been recognized for her influence in the tech industry. Her inclusion in LinkedIn’s “35 Under 35” and Forbes’ “30 Under 30” lists underscores her status as a leading figure in AI and venture capital. Her work continues to shape the landscape of machine intelligence and its applications across various sectors.
Continued Impact in AI
As AI technology evolves, Zilis remains at the forefront, advocating for innovation that aligns with ethical standards and societal well-being. Her ongoing contributions to Neuralink and her advisory roles reflect her commitment to harnessing AI’s potential for positive impact, ensuring that advancements serve humanity’s best interests.
Shivon Zilis Social Acounts
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Shivon Zilis Net Worth
As of 2025, Shivon Zilis, a Canadian businesswoman and the director of operations and special projects at Neuralink, is estimated to have a net worth of around $10 million to $20 million.
Shivon has built a career in the tech industry, particularly with her involvement in companies like Neuralink and OpenAI. She is known for her work with Elon Musk’s ventures and her contributions to artificial intelligence and neurotechnology. Her wealth primarily comes from her professional roles, but she has also been a key figure in the startup ecosystem, gaining recognition for her strategic impact on the companies she has been involved with.
Her net worth may continue to grow as her career develops and she takes on more influential roles in the tech world.
Conclusion
Shivon Zilis’s journey from her early life in Canada to her current roles in AI exemplifies a dedication to technological advancement and ethical responsibility. Her leadership in organizations like Neuralink and OpenAI highlights her influence in shaping the future of artificial intelligence, making her a pivotal figure in the ongoing dialogue about technology’s role in society.