Who is the smartest person alive right now? The quest for brilliance

What makes someone the "smartest"?

Well, when we talk about the "smartest person alive," what exactly do we mean? Is it their IQ? Their ability to solve complex problems? Or maybe their influence on the world? Honestly, it’s a bit of a tricky question because intelligence isn't a one-size-fits-all kind of thing. You might think of Einstein or Hawking, right? But the smartest person could be someone whose name you don’t hear often. Let’s dive into what factors really define who the smartest person alive is right now.

Intelligence is multi-faceted

Intelligence isn't just about being able to calculate numbers quickly or memorize facts. It’s about how well someone can understand the world around them, think critically, and adapt to different challenges. Personally, I’ve always been fascinated by how people use their intelligence, whether in business, science, or even art.

When I was chatting with a friend of mine who’s a neuroscientist, he made a great point: intelligence can be seen in so many ways—creativity, problem-solving, emotional intelligence, and so much more. That made me realize, there’s no single way to measure it. So, let’s talk about some of the individuals often considered the smartest.

Leading contenders for the title

1. Terence Tao – The “Mozart of Math”

Honestly, the name Terence Tao comes up when you think of someone who might be among the smartest people alive today. Tao, a prodigy from Australia, has been called the "Mozart of Math" due to his incredible mathematical abilities. He was solving complex math problems by the age of 9 and became a full professor at UCLA by 24. That’s just insane!

I remember reading about him a few years ago and thinking, “How does someone just get math that easily?” He’s tackled some of the most difficult problems in mathematics and has even contributed to fields such as harmonic analysis and partial differential equations. His IQ, though not officially confirmed, is rumored to be between 225 and 230—higher than Einstein's. No wonder he’s often mentioned in discussions about the smartest people alive.

2. Magnus Carlsen – The Chess Genius

Now, let’s talk about Magnus Carlsen, the reigning World Chess Champion. This guy is absolutely mind-blowing. Carlsen has been considered a chess genius from a young age, and by the time he was 13, he was already beating grandmasters left and right. His ability to calculate multiple moves ahead, his pattern recognition, and his unparalleled understanding of the game make him a contender for one of the smartest people on the planet.

I had the chance to watch one of his games once, and let me tell you, I was in awe. It’s almost as if he has a superpower for the game, and honestly, that kind of brilliance is hard to match. Carlsen's deep focus and strategic thinking put him in a class of his own, and it’s incredible to witness.

3. Stephen Hawking’s legacy – Brilliant mind, lasting influence

Even though Stephen Hawking sadly passed away in 2018, his legacy is still so impactful that his name deserves to be mentioned when talking about the smartest minds. His work in theoretical physics, especially his contributions to our understanding of black holes and the nature of the universe, was monumental.

Hawking’s ability to combine theoretical concepts with practical implications is unmatched. I often think about how much we take for granted, and how, in his own lifetime, Hawking shattered many assumptions about space, time, and gravity. His intelligence wasn’t just about memorizing facts; it was about changing how humanity views the universe. If you ask me, that’s true brilliance.

Intelligence is subjective, though

Can we ever really measure “smartness”?

Well, here’s the thing: it’s really hard to put a number on intelligence, right? We’ve talked about mathematicians, chess champions, and physicists—but what about those who are incredibly intelligent in fields like emotional intelligence, leadership, or even in creative arts like music and film?

I’ve had conversations with friends who argue that leaders like Elon Musk or even Oprah Winfrey should be considered in these discussions. Why? Because they’ve changed industries, reshaped how we think about the future, and driven huge innovations. To them, intelligence isn’t about solving equations but changing the world with ideas and actions.

Should we focus only on traditional forms of intelligence?

After all, there’s so much more to being smart than just scientific knowledge or logic. I was talking with a colleague recently about the rise of “emotional intelligence” in the workplace. Leaders with high emotional intelligence are often better at leading teams, making tough decisions, and creating environments that allow others to thrive. It’s an aspect of intelligence that is often overlooked, but it’s just as valuable.

Conclusion: Who really is the smartest?

Honestly, the smartest person alive right now could be anyone. It depends on how you define intelligence. Whether it’s someone like Terence Tao, who has solved problems most of us can’t even imagine, or someone like Magnus Carlsen, whose ability to think several moves ahead is legendary, there are many contenders. But, there’s also intelligence in emotional awareness, leadership, and innovation.

At the end of the day, I think the smartest people are the ones who can adapt, inspire, and solve real-world problems. So, is there a single person who is the smartest? Probably not. But there are countless brilliant minds out there making an impact every day, and that, to me, is what true intelligence looks like.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.