An Interview with Kevin Turner, Core Scientific CEO: ‘Our Mission is to Become the Premier AI and Blockchain Provider, Delivering Best-in-Class Infrastructure and Software Solutions’

“The two technologies we operate in are going to define the future technology landscape. Every business will depend on blockchain technologies to ensure the integrity of data, and they will depend on AI to optimize their business performance, their products, and customers’ experiences.”

The personal computing revolution. The internet. Mobile devices that put a supercomputer in the palm of your hand. We’ve been exposed to transformational technologies before, and understand that they have the power to change the world as we know it.

But each of these past examples emerged gradually—and crucially—in isolation. We had time to grow used to personal computing before the internet arrived and changed the game once more. We were internet-savvy long before smartphones put the web in our pockets. Now, multiple new technologies are emerging at once: 3D printing, 5G wireless, virtual and augmented reality, and others.

While each of these technologies present exciting opportunities and significant challenges for the enterprise, we consider three to be truly transformational: IoT, AI, and blockchain. Alone, any one of these three would have the power to alter business, leisure, and society as a whole. But together, their transformative impact will be unprecedented.

In light of the foregoing, we’re thrilled to present Core Scientific.

Core Scientific provides information technology services. The company focuses on blockchain infrastructure and artificial intelligence hosting, transaction processing, as well as application development. Core Scientific serves clients in the  United States.

The company was incorporated in 2018 and is headquartered in Bellevue, Washington. It has addition facilities located in Calvert City, Kentucky; Marble, North Carolina; and Dalton, Georgia.

Kevin Turner, Core Scientific CEO, spoke exclusively to The Silicon Review. Below is an excerpt.

Why was the company set up? And how did you expand your company and its offerings over the years?

Core Scientific is a company that is born of the blockchain and inspired by AI. We were set up with the mission of becoming the premier AI and blockchain provider, offering best-in-class infrastructure and software solutions. By being exclusively focused on these two hypergrowth industries (AI & Blockchain), we will create value for customers by becoming the partner they can depend on in rapidly evolving and unpredictable markets.

What challenges did you face in your initial years?

We’ve successfully tackled a blockchain market depression, witnessed dramatic hardware innovations, and partnered with great AI hardware partners that are continually innovating. The key skill as a CEO is to inspire the team with the will to win in all circumstances. That might require grit in adverse times, and the ability to handle tremendous ambiguity as new technologies take shape in the market, but it is rooted in excitement for what we will achieve in the world with these technologies.

What kind of responses have you received from your customers? How have they motivated you to shape your offerings/grow the company?

Our customers are also operating in two explosive industries, and dealing with some fast-evolving technologies. Listening to their feedback and being learners together with our customers and partners has made us so much better as a team at Core Scientific. We have listened carefully to our customers, and it has made our business stronger and benefited  all of our customers.

Building a culture of sustainability inside an organization is very important to maintain a reputation in the global market. How is it true for your company?

Our approach to sustainability focuses on some core strategies that set Core Scientific apart from our competitors. We’ve been continuously increasing our usage of renewable power in all our facilities, increasing to more than 70 percent renewable energy. We’ve also created optimizations that improve the power efficiency of all devices – generating more blockchain rewards for less power. The overall PUE for our datacenters is actually around 1.01 which is industry-leading, and something we are all proud of.

Is your company a leader or follower?

The two technologies we operate in are going to define the future technology landscape. Every business will depend on blockchain technologies to ensure the integrity of data, and they will depend on AI to optimize their business performance, their products, and customers’ experiences. It’s not possible to build a fast-growing business in this space without being leaders in what we do.

If you have to list five factors that have been/are the biggest asset to your organization, what would they be and why?

Firstly, having a front-row seat to history being created in our industry is why we’ve been able to attract such an amazing array of talent at Core Scientific. We have experts who are leaders in their field excited to join us.

Secondly, having a team with a passion for customers that drives us to achieve success even beyond our ambition –for our customers, our investors, and each other’s success. That creates a will to win, and it is a huge asset that we do as a team that blends all the different experiences, backgrounds, and cultures we have at Core Scientific.

Thirdly, attracting people with boldness in life is a great asset. We embrace the spirit of adventure with positivity in everything we do. I’ve been proud to see this team unafraid to take on intelligent risks and embrace incredible stretch goals.

Of course, grit is an equally important asset to have in the DNA of our team at Core Scientific. Reliance and perseverance, and a desire for achieving long-term goals defines our company.

While I am proud that the first four factors are all about the people who work at Core Scientific, of course, a huge asset is the speed of development in both blockchain and AI markets. They are exploding in both growth and innovation.

Where do you see your company a couple of years from now?

Core Scientific will continue to establish its position as the premier AI and blockchain provider, offering best-in-class infrastructure and software solutions. We are focused on the US market today, but our sights are set on expanding internationally and on building a global reputation for excellence in both industries.

Core Scientific | Leadership

B.Kevin Turner, CEO: Kevin Turner joined Core Scientific with over 30 years of successful business experience. He served as Microsoft’s Chief Operating Officer from 2005 – 2016. As Microsoft’s COO, Kevin drove a strong track record of results, execution excellence, and improved efficiency while transitioning the company’s business model to the cloud and driving the customer satisfaction scores to the highest in company history.

Prior to Microsoft, Kevin worked at Walmart for 20 years. He was the youngest corporate officer named at Walmart at the age of 29. He later rose to Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer for Walmart Stores, Inc. Subsequently, he was appointed CEO and President of Sam’s Club and Executive Vice President of Walmart Stores, Inc.

Matthew Bishop, Chief Administrative Officer: Matthew Bishop was the Corporate Vice President, Strategy and Operations of Microsoft’s Worldwide Commercial Business. He led the strategic development of Microsoft’s go-to-market approach and created a world-class sales force focused on how the Intelligent Cloud and Intelligent Edge will drive digital transformation. Prior to Microsoft, he supported the UK Prime Minister on cross-government strategy where he was an early strategist on inventing e-Government. In 2012, Matthew was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by the Queen of England for his voluntary work in protecting children online.

“In an increasingly distributed and connected world, we believe blockchain and AI will fundamentally change the way information is processed, shared and stored across a range of industries.”