Stephen Wolfram

Stephen Wolfram is an acclaimed scientist, author, entrepreneur, and educator. He is best known for creating the iconic computer software Mathematica and founding the namesake Wolfram Research. He has also authored several books, including A New Kind of Science and Stephen Wolfram's Wild Ride: An Introduction to the Complex World of Artificial Intelligence and Its Implications.

Wolfram was born in London in 1959 to parents who were both university lecturers in mathematics, and grew up with an early love of mathematics and computer technology. He studied mathematics at Oxford and later took postdoctoral research positions at the California Institute of Technology and the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey, ending his formal education at age 21.

He then moved to California in 1980 to work at the seminal computer research labs of the Technical Research Group. It was during this time that he began crafting Mathematica, an advanced and intuitive computational platform designed to make complex mathematical calculations simpler and faster, as well as more accessible to all levels of learners.

In 1988 Wolfram founded Wolfram Research, the company responsible for the ongoing development and implementation of Mathematica. He has since been referred to as one of the founders of the “knowledge revolution,” an apt name for the type of technological impact accompanying Mathematica.

Wolfram’s ability to think beyond what we immediately see as possible has enabled him to cast light into numerous areas of interest. His acumen in the arena of artificial intelligence (AI) has earned him international renown. He has served as an advisor to the United States government in evaluating potential defense applications of advanced AI algorithms, and is a noted reviewer for multiple AI-related international organizations.

In addition to his work in computing, Wolfram is an accomplished author. His book A New Kind of Science sought to provide readers from any background with a distinct way of understanding and harnessing the power of complicated computational systems. He has also written several other books that have received widespread recognition, including Stephen Wolfram's Wild Ride: An Introduction to the Complex World of Artificial Intelligence and Its Implications.

Wolfram’s work in computers and artificial intelligence have impacted millions of people. His research and software have been instrumental in helping scientists, educators and everyday users of all levels to work smarter, faster and make more informed decisions. Many of his original contributions, such as A New Kind of Science, have had lasting effects on our understanding of the natural world, and his TED talk, ‘My equation for the future of AI’, continues to draw attention and admiration from the broader academic community.

His many successes have earned him numerous accolades and awards, including the Benjamin Franklin Medal for Computer and Cognitive Science, the Kavli Prize for Excellence in Science and the Kyoto Prize for Advanced Technology. In 2008 he was also named one of Time Magazine’s “Top 100 Most Influential People in the World.”

In the years to come, Wolfram's work continues to push forward the boundaries of science and technology. As a scientist, entrepreneur, author and educator, Stephen Wolfram has helped revolutionize modern computing and provided valuable insights into artificial intelligence, and will no doubt continue changing the way we understand and use computers for years to come.