Stephen Wolfram is a British-American computer scientist, entrepreneur, and author known for his work in computational science. He is the founder and CEO of Wolfram Research, a company that developed the computational software Mathematica and the knowledge engine Wolfram Alpha. Wolfram's research focuses on cellular automata, complexity theory, and the intersection of computation and science. In 2002, he published the book A New Kind of Science, which explores the idea that simple computational rules can lead to complex behaviors in nature. Wolfram's contributions have significantly influenced fields such as mathematics, physics, and computer science, making him a prominent figure in the study of computation.