He’s a multi-billionaire that some view as eccentric. He’s also an incredibly innovative visionary who scoffs at risks, remains undeterred, and openly shares his passion for sustainability. He has founded multiple businesses, each with a core mission that aligns with his goals. He walks the talk, so to speak. So, exactly how smart is Elon Musk, and what is his IQ? Let’s find out!
Who Is Elon Musk?
Born and raised in South Africa, Elon Musk, a serial entrepreneur, made his way to Canada and then the US in 1992, where he studied at the University of Pennsylvania. His genius was reflected in his pre-teen activities, including when he created and sold his first software program at age 12. He started his first company with his brother in 1995 and sold it four years later in 1999, earning just over $340 million. He purposely snowballed his success, co-founding the next company, which would come to be known as PayPal. Later acquired by eBay, PayPal sold for $1.5 billion. Musk, with an ever-tenacious spirit, moved on to launch SpaceX in 2002. Musk invested $100 million of his own funds and after attracting the attention of NASA, was granted a $440 million contract.
Musk’s interest isn’t just in space exploration but also in climate change. Musk now serves as the product architect and CEO of Tesla Motors, an electric vehicle company. His constant advancements earned him the title of America’s Most Innovative Leader, a name appointed by Forbes. Musk is unapologetic about his opinions, outspoken even with controversial topics. Most recently, Musk has ventured into Artificial Intelligence (AI), co-creating OpenAI and launching Neuralink. Both of these companies are geared toward bridging the gap between technology and humans. While OpenAI offers a method of benefitting humanity via AI, Neuralink explores the myriad ways technology can improve human health.
IQ Defined
IQ refers to intelligence quotient, and IQ testing was developed as a method by which specific intellectual skills and potentials are evaluated. Within the umbrella of intelligence, there are several cognitive skills that IQ tests cover. They include the ability to problem-solve, the ability to execute reasoning, and the ability to employ logic. These tests are not for learned knowledge; rather, they focus on cognitive abilities. The test is scored in comparison to others within the same age range, and results range from 55 to 145, with 55 being “mentally inadequate” and 145 being “exceptionally gifted.” To be considered above average, the score is typically 116 and above. A high IQ is considered to start at 130. There are technically no caps to IQ scores, and though there have been reports of awe-inspiring, ultra-high IQs, there is no definitive data on these results.
Elon Musk’s IQ and Other Types of Intelligence
It’s important to note that Elon Musk has not publicly shared any information related to IQ testing or a confirmed IQ score. That said, there is some speculation about what Musk’s IQ score might be, with many assuming a number between 150 and 165. When we asked ChatGPT (a product developed by OpenAI) about Musk’s IQ score, the answer confirmed Musk had not disclosed this information. Additionally, it pointed to other types of intelligence, calling it “complex and multi-faceted” and explaining that it “can’t be fully captured by a single numerical score.”
IQ tests cover fluid intelligence, but there is also crystalized intelligence, which is learned information stored as knowledge. In addition to these two classifications of intelligence, there is emotional intelligence, often referred to as EI or EQ. This type of intelligence focuses on the understanding of emotions, both those experienced internally and those perceived outwardly. Social intelligence is similar and requires an understanding of social dynamics. Creative intelligence is innovative, analytical intelligence requires critical thinking, and practical intelligence refers to common sense acquired via hands-on, real-world experiences. If Musk’s intelligence were to be broken down and scored per type of intelligence, you would get a much more well-rounded perspective of just how bright he is.
Elon Musk’s Success
Musk’s success started early. He had hundreds of millions of dollars to work with after the sale of PayPal, and he has amassed a multi-billion-dollar net worth since. Below are the companies he has founded.
SpaceX
Musk has a lust for life that extends past this terrestrial realm. He believes in a future that is better than the past, and he finds space travel invigorating. Since SpaceX’s inception in 2002, there have been 302 total launches, 266 total landings, and 237 total re-flights. The mission of SpaceX is to make humanity multi-planetary. In 2020, SpaceX took humans to the International Space Station. Currently, there are six SpaceX facilities found throughout the US in California, Texas, and Florida. They include a build facility, testing facility, the Cape Canaveral Space Forse Station, Space Launch Complex 40, the Kennedy Space Center, Launch Complex 39A, the Vandenberg Air Force Base, Space Launch Complex 4 East, and Starbase.
Tesla Motors
The goal of Tesla is “to accelerate the advent of sustainable transport by bringing compelling mass market electric cars to market as soon as possible.” But this isn’t Tesla’s only mission. The idea of how to craft the perfect electric car has continued evolving, with safety at the forefront of each design. These electric cars run on batteries powered by solar energy. They’re designed to ensure a sustainable future, protect lives via a range of safety features, and allow those who drive them to have the most fun they can enjoy while riding in a vehicle.
The Boring Company
Musk founded The Boring Company with a mission to solve traffic problems. The company creates freight tunnels that allow for low-cost transportation and carves a rapid method of transport in major cities to transform how locals and tourists experience them. Traffic plays into daily planning for commuters, cutting into their days and putting them at risk for accidents regularly. However, with tunnels, the soul-sucking traffic you normally have to deal with is transformed, and you’re literally tunneled through to your next destination at record speed.
Neuralink
The mission of Neuralink is to “create a generalized brain interface to restore autonomy to those with unmet medical needs today and unlock human potential tomorrow.” Musk founded this company in 2016 alongside a team of engineers and scientists. The idea is to place microchips in brains, effectively altering the human experience with implanted technology. This potentially symbiotic relationship between technology and humans remains in line with his objectives to bridge the gap between the two to benefit humankind.
OpenAI
This AI research company was developed to “ensure that artificial general intelligence benefits all of humanity.” The research of OpenAI is expansive, working to craft AI models in a way that aligns with human values. There’s no question that AI’s power is only going to evolve further. By ensuring AI technology benefits humanity, OpenAI hopes to shape technology’s inevitable and exponential progression intentionally.
X (Formerly Known as Twitter)
Elon Musk acquired Twitter for a whopping $44 billion in 2022, shortly thereafter renaming it to X. His vision for the social media site is to make it a one-stop-for-everything environment where people from around the globe can share ideas, find opportunities, and sell goods and services. Powered by AI, Musk wants to see X thriving with video and audio communication, messaging, and even payment services.
Musk Foundation
The Musk Foundation was developed to make grants available for specific projects. The website lists those projects under five basic categories, including renewable energy research and advocacy, human space exploration research and advocacy, pediatric research, science and engineering education, and the development of safe artificial intelligence to benefit humanity. (Want to learn more about the most infamous white-collar criminals of all time? Here is a list of the most infamous white-collar criminals of all time.)