Kevin Scott
Kevin Scott is Microsoft’s chief technology officer, and his AI work spans large-scale advertising models, OpenAI infrastructure, and GitHub Copilot. He grew up in rural Virginia, attended a science and technology Governor’s School, studied computer science at Lynchburg College and Wake Forest, and did doctoral work at the University of Virginia. After engineering work at Google and AdMob, he expanded LinkedIn’s software infrastructure before Microsoft named him CTO in 2017. His 2020 book Reprogramming the American Dream considers how AI can widen opportunity in rural America; in March 2024, he remained responsible for Microsoft-wide AI strategy.
Timeline
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1998–2003
A rural start in computing
He grew up in rural central Virginia and attended a science and technology Governor’s School. He earned computer-science degrees from Lynchburg College and Wake Forest University, then worked on a computer-engineering PhD at UVA from 1998 to 2003.
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2000
A system named Strata
In 2000, he and Jack Davidson connect dynamic translation with cybersecurity. Scott develops Strata, which becomes part of security systems for the Air Force and IARPA.
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2007–2011
Building Google’s ad systems
At Google, he builds large-scale machine-learning systems for search and advertising and runs an ads-quality system that predicts click-through rates. In 2007, he leaves Google to lead engineering and operations at AdMob; after Google acquires AdMob in 2010, he helps with integration work.
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2011–2017
From LinkedIn to CTO
LinkedIn hires him as vice president of engineering in February 2011 and promotes him to senior vice president in 2012; he expands its software infrastructure. In January 2017, Microsoft names him CTO in a role driving strategic, cross-company initiatives.
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2019–2020
Funding AI infrastructure
After the 2019 OpenAI deal, Microsoft builds its first AI supercomputer with OpenAI, and GPT-3 is trained on it. His 2020 book Reprogramming the American Dream explores how AI can benefit rural and middle America.
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June 2023
Putting AI inside Copilot
At a June 2023 investor discussion, he describes GitHub Copilot as the first product to put generative AI front and center. Microsoft had also deployed GPT-3 across several products.
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March 2024
Coordinating Microsoft’s AI
He continues as Microsoft CTO and EVP of AI, with responsibility for company-wide AI strategy, system architecture decisions, partnerships, and cross-company coordination.
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As of October 2026
Still Microsoft’s CTO
He is Microsoft’s CTO. At a June 2026 event, he discusses the work needed to operationalize AI across institutions, workflows, and human systems.
Sources and credits
Photo: Vetala Hawkins and Microsoft, via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: commons.wikimedia.org. Cropped to a square and resized. Ask us to remove or replace this photo.
- A conversation with Kevin Scott, author of “Reprogramming the American Dream”
- Kevin Scott - Source
- Professor’s ‘Work Harder’ Mantra Propels Alum into Microsoft’s Leadership Ranks
- Exclusive: AdMob Snares Google’s Kevin Scott
- LinkedIn Promotes Kevin Scott to Senior Vice President of Engineering
- Goldman Sachs Communacopia + Technology
- Kevin Scott named to newly created role of Chief Technology Officer for Microsoft - The Official Microsoft Blog
- AI Discussion with Amy Hood, EVP and CFO and Kevin Scott, EVP of AI and CTO
- Mustafa Suleyman, DeepMind and Inflection Co-founder, joins Microsoft to lead Copilot - The Official Microsoft Blog
- Five ways we’re confusing AI capability and AI reality—and how to bridge the gap