In this Baxtel Podcast episode, Eric Bell sits down with Wes Cummins, CEO of Applied Digital, to unpack how hyperscale AI data centers are being built far from traditional metros. Wes shares why power availability and fiber routes matter more than population density, and how rural communities like Ellendale, North Dakota benefit economically from large-scale campuses. He walks through Applied Digital’s evolution from Bitcoin mining facilities to purpose-built AI and HPC infrastructure, including lessons learned around InfiniBand design, power density, and future-proofing for NVIDIA’s roadmap. The conversation also explores grid power versus behind-the-meter generation, community misconceptions about data centers, and why long-term, investment-grade hyperscale contracts shape Applied Digital’s strategy.

Chapters

00:59 – Podcast introduction

01:05 – Get to Know You in 60 Seconds

03:32 – Why rural North Dakota

05:23 – Latency and fiber routes

07:39 – Community impact of data centers

13:39 – Power usage and utility savings

18:55 – Pivot from crypto to AI HPC

24:35 – Data center design evolution

43:08 – Data Center War Story

45:11 – Top Picks

Data Center War Story

A hidden manufacturing flaw in hundreds of megawatts of transformers threatened Applied Digital’s largest campus, forcing a race against time to source and replace critical equipment before the entire operation unraveled.

Top Picks

Early mornings - Getting up before everyone else creates uninterrupted time for focus, reflection, and better days overall.

Sunrise travel ritual - Experiencing a city at sunrise offers calm, clarity, and a sense of owning the place before the crowds arrive.

Where to find Wes Cummins?

Wes Cummins can be found through the following official channels:

Applied Digital

Wes Cummins on LinkedIn

Resources Mentioned

Applied Digital

NVIDIA H100 and Blackwell platform

InfiniBand networking standard

Marathon Digital Holdings

CoreWeave