Born in South Africa, Elon Musk developed an interest in computer programming during his middle school years. After attending Queen's University in Ontario, Canada, he moved to the United States, where he earned degrees in physics and economics.
Musk began his entrepreneurial journey in the late 1990s by founding software companies such as Zip2, X.com, and PayPal. The success and eventual sale of these ventures provided him with the capital to invest in larger, innovative enterprises.
In addition to his commercial ventures, Musk has invested in groundbreaking research in neurotechnology and artificial intelligence. Neuralink and OpenAI are two of his most prominent projects, exploring brain-machine interfaces and AI development.
Musk has a particular interest in Mars exploration and envisions human colonization of the planet. He has also warned about the potential risks posed by rapid advancements in artificial intelligence.
An outspoken supporter of Donald Trump, Elon Musk held the chief position in the Department of Government Efficiency in early 2025, contributing to governmental reform and efficiency initiatives.