Early Curiosity and a Foundation in Technology

Mark’s fascination with computers began long before AI became a mainstream concept. While studying Business Administration at Spokane Community College and later pursuing Management Information Systems at Eastern Washington University – where he graduated with a strong academic record – he quickly realized that technology was more than a career path. It was a calling.

That passion took him to Microsoft during the formative years of Windows. As a college intern supporting Windows 1.0 and Excel 2.0, Mark found himself fielding endless technical issues from early software adopters. Instead of solving problems one call at a time, he created a diagnostic flowchart that streamlined troubleshooting for the entire support team. His initiative caught the attention of management and became his entry into Microsoft as a contractor – and later, a full-time employee.

Those early days at Microsoft shaped his approach to leadership. He learned that integrity builds trust, that small ideas can have large impact, and that innovation often begins with challenging the way things have always been done.

Microsoft: Testing, Leading, and Shaping Products Used Worldwide

By the late 1980s and early 1990s, Mark was fully immersed in the company’s most ambitious work. He supported customers, then transitioned into software testing, eventually managing the Windows 95 printing team.

Windows 95 would become one of the most influential products in consumer technology history. Behind the scenes, Mark led engineers, coordinated global partners, and influenced the quality standards of a system used by millions. His performance was recognized with consecutive top-tier reviews and valuable stock options. He also received a personal award from Bill Gates – an acknowledgment of his contributions during one of the most important product cycles in Microsoft’s history.

Yet, as much as he succeeded at Microsoft, Mark felt a growing entrepreneurial pull. He knew he wanted to create something of his own.

InterTest.com: Transforming Careers Through Education

In 1995, Mark founded InterTest.com, a pioneering software testing training company. With a focus on hands-on education, he created an environment where aspiring engineers could build real-world skills and immediately apply them in the field.

Mark personally designed computer labs, created training content, and even produced marketing materials. His decision to build a strong sales team – composed entirely of women – proved to be one of the most successful choices he made. Their professionalism and communication skills drove the company’s growth and built a reputation of excellence.

InterTest.com expanded rapidly. Classes filled to capacity for four consecutive years. Students Mark trained went on to secure roles at Microsoft, technical contracting firms, and leading tech organizations. At its peak, the company placed more than 200 engineers in software testing positions and generated millions in revenue.

But when the dot-com bubble burst, hiring slowed dramatically. Rather than compromise on quality or mission, Mark made the difficult choice to close the company at its peak. He walked away proud of the impact he had made – hundreds of careers launched, new talent pipelines created, and a legacy built on education and empowerment.

A New Direction: Returning to Innovation Through AI

The years that followed brought another shift in technology. As online learning expanded and AI matured, Mark began exploring deep learning, machine intelligence, and advanced data science.

In 2019, he founded AI Online Developer Plus, creating practical, industry-focused AI and machine learning courses. He partnered with Intel to co-develop an introductory AI course and built streamlined Python tracks that emphasized hands-on problem-solving.

But as colleges began offering AI courses for free, Mark recognized another turning point – similar to what he had seen in the early 2000s. The market was changing. Education was moving in a new direction. And once again, he pivoted.

The Turning Point: A Personal Mission to Fight Cancer

A pivotal moment in Mark’s life came when learning that a close friend had lost both parents and a younger sister to cancer. That loss sparked a profound personal mission: to explore whether AI could support early detection and help save lives.

Around the same time, augmented reality devices like Apple’s Vision Pro were emerging as powerful tools for visualization and immersive simulation. Mark saw potential far beyond their consumer applications. What if surgeons could view real-time imaging in their field of vision? What if cancer could be detected earlier by combining deep-learning algorithms with advanced medical imaging?

Those questions became the foundation of a new venture – Global Surgical AI Healthcare.

Global Surgical AI Healthcare: Merging AI, Imaging, and Augmented Reality

Today, Mark serves as Chairman of Global Surgical AI Healthcare, leading a team of experts in AI, medical imaging, and healthcare operations.

The company is building advanced AI software capable of analyzing X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans to identify cancers such as:

• breast
• lung
• prostate
• colorectal
• pancreatic
• skin cancers
• brain tumors

Their goal is to provide clinicians with a reliable, AI-assisted second opinion – supporting early intervention and improving patient outcomes.

A second track of development focuses on augmented reality surgical guidance. Using next-generation AR headsets, surgeons can access 3D anatomical overlays, real-time position mapping, and AI-supported visualization during complex procedures. Instead of shifting between monitors, surgeons can view all critical data directly within their field of view, enhancing precision and focus.

Mark believes this technology can reshape global surgical standards, especially in regions where access to advanced training is limited. By integrating simulation, imaging, and AI, Global Surgical AI Healthcare aims to democratize medical expertise and support doctors worldwide.

A Leadership Philosophy Built on Insight and Integrity

Through every chapter of his career – Microsoft, InterTest.com, AI education, and now medical AI – Mark’s approach has been guided by the same principles: honesty, preparation, discipline, and continuous learning.

He often speaks about the importance of wise choices, explaining that success is less about isolated achievements and more about recognizing opportunities and building long-term strength. Hard work matters, but clarity, insight, and the right team matter more.

His leadership style reflects his belief that technology becomes meaningful only when it serves human needs. Whether he was training engineers or designing new AI models, Mark has always focused on empowering others.

Looking Ahead: A Future Defined by Purpose

As Global Surgical AI Healthcare continues its development roadmap, Mark envisions a world where early cancer detection becomes widely accessible and where surgeons around the world have advanced visualization tools that make procedures safer and more precise.

The company plans to expand across cancer diagnostics, orthopedics, neurosurgery, cardiovascular surgery, and other high-impact medical fields. Clinical trials, regulatory approvals, and global partnerships form the backbone of its multi-year plan.

For Mark, however, the work is more than business strategy. It is a personal mission rooted in empathy, experience, and a deep desire to create long-lasting change.

A Legacy of Innovation

From the early days of Windows to the cutting edge of AI healthcare, Mark Kembel’s career has been defined by forward thinking and bold execution. His life reflects a rare blend of technical expertise, entrepreneurial courage, and genuine human purpose.

As he leads Global Surgical AI Healthcare into its next stage, Mark remains committed to the principle that has guided him from the beginning: technology should elevate lives. It should solve real problems. And it should always strive toward a future where possibility becomes reality.