Raymond Kurzweil is born in Queens, New York City, to secular Jewish parents who had emigrated from Austria just before World War II to escape the rising tide of antisemitism.

Kurzweil's early exposure to computers, particularly in the 1950s and 60s, sparked a lifelong fascination. He immersed himself in science fiction and devoured books on computer science, laying the groundwork for his future innovations.

At the age of 15, Kurzweil wrote his first computer program. This early success fueled his passion for programming and algorithmic problem-solving.

Kurzweil won the prestigious Westinghouse Science Talent Search (now Regeneron Science Talent Search) for his invention of a computer program that could compose original musical pieces in the style of famous composers. He presented his invention on the television program 'I've Got a Secret.'

While still in high school, Kurzweil created a sophisticated computer program that matched high school students with colleges based on their academic profile and preferences. He sold this program to a company called Best College Selections, earning a significant income.

Kurzweil attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he pursued a degree in computer science. He continued to refine his understanding of artificial intelligence and explored various fields, including linguistics and pattern recognition.

Kurzweil graduated from MIT with a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science.