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AI disruption to shape data center business

Data center industry is set to face significant tasks this year as it adapts to the demands and harnesses the potential of artificial intelligence (AI), according to a white paper prepared by Schneider Electric.

Managing scarcity and power-related issues will be paramount, accompanied by the emergence of three key trends: alternative energy, liquid cooling, and quantum computing, white paper titled "The AI Disruption: Challenges and Guidance for Data Center Design," added.

The white paper delved into the crucial attributes and trends surrounding AI workloads and sheds light on the resulting challenges faced by data centers and offers comprehensive guidance to address these issues in power, cooling, racks, and software management.

The surge of AI in data center workloads, from large training clusters to small edge inference servers, signifies a shift towards higher rack power densities. AI start-ups, enterprises, colocation providers, and internet giants are urged to consider the impact of these densities on the design and management of data center physical infrastructure.

Schneider Electric predicts that AI will play a pivotal role in enhancing asset management for operators. The impact will extend to various aspects, including utility and backup power control, cooling control, operational optimization through digital twins, data center design and construction, maintenance, robotics, and more.

The white paper emphasizes the continued adoption of cloud computing and digital transformation by enterprises. However, it identifies AI as the leading driver of data center demand in the coming year, projecting three AI data centers for every new standard data center, each offering higher server densities.

Addressing the challenges of scarcity and modularity, the white paper suggests that modular data center infrastructure is a viable solution. Purpose-built facilities still require components, leading operators to secure the supply chain as much as possible.

The critical issue of power and grid sustainability is also discussed. Operators are urged to consider renewable energy sources and large battery storage systems to meet ambitious goals for carbon neutrality.

The company identified three additional trends: alternatives to standard diesel, liquid cooling options, and the emergence of quantum computing. Green diesel and green hydrogen are suggested as sustainable alternatives, while liquid cooling becomes crucial for AI clusters exceeding 20 kW/rack. Quantum computing, although not anticipated to move into typical data centers this year, prompts the need to protect infrastructure from potential cybersecurity compromises.

As the industry grapples with the aftermath of the AI surge, Schneider Electric emphasizes the importance of tapping into its extensive resources for gaining clarity in the face of challenges such as data center shortages, grid issues, and more. The white paper serves as a valuable guide for navigating the evolving landscape of data center design in the era of AI disruption.