Artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) have revolutionized the way we interact with technology and data. Their increased usage has created an explosion of data that requires storage and processing. As a result, there has been a rapid growth in the data center market to accommodate the volume of data generated by these technologies. This article explores the impact of AI and IoT on data center growth, the demand for computing power and hardware investment, the need for increased data center infrastructure, and the innovation in cooling technologies.
The Impact of AI and IoT on Data Creation
The adoption of AI and IoT has led to a significant increase in data creation. Adding AI to the already massive pool of available technology, including IoT devices, will generate even more customer data, leading to an exponential increase in data volume. This growth in data creation has created a greater need for data centers.
AI’s Demand for Computing Power and Investment in Hardware and Data Center Designs
AI will create an increased demand for computing power, requiring investment in AI-specific hardware, adoption of new data center designs, and exploration of emerging technologies such as edge computing. Kevin Shtofman, a principal at Deloitte Consulting LLP, notes, “As AI becomes more widespread, the demand for computing power will increase, driving the need for more data centers to support this growth.” The investment in hardware includes the adoption of graphics processing units (GPUs) and field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) to increase processing capabilities.
The Need for Increased Data Center Infrastructure to Support AI Growth
The growth of AI has led to a greater need for data center infrastructure to support the increased demand for computing power. The adoption of AI will also increase data storage needs, as AI-driven applications require vast amounts of data to train and improve models. The resulting increased demand for data center resources will lead to the construction of more data centers.
AI’s Effect on Data Storage Needs for Training and Improving Models
The adoption of AI also requires data storage for training and improving models. This storage requirement is in addition to the storage required for data-driven analytics and other applications that utilize big data. The storage requirements for AI are vast, necessitating significant investments in storage infrastructure.
AI Integration into Everyday Technology and Consumer-Level Use
Andy Cvengros, the Senior Director of Product Management at Plex Systems, notes that AI at the consumer level is expected to explode as its capabilities are integrated with everyday technology functions. This integration will lead to a greater need for data center infrastructure to support consumer-level AI.
Innovations in Liquid Cooling to Counteract Heat Generated by AI’s High Server Computer Density
The high server computer density required by AI also generates a tremendous amount of heat, hence the development of innovations in liquid cooling. Liquid cooling is becoming a viable option due to its energy efficiency and ability to reduce the cooling requirements of the data center.
Key Stakeholders for Ensuring Data Centers Grow with AI’s Computing Demand
The key stakeholders for ensuring data centers grow along with the demand generated by AI computing are data center operators, cloud service providers, hardware manufacturers, governments and regulators, and data scientists and AI researchers. Collaboration between these stakeholders is vital to ensure data center infrastructure supports the growth of AI.
Importance of Thorough Research and Analysis Before Investing in Data Center Expansion
Prior to investing in data center expansion, it’s crucial to conduct a thorough research and analysis of the market as well as the demand for AI computing. This analysis will help ensure that the expansion can meet both the current and future requirements of the market.
Working with Experienced Partners in Data Center Expansion
Data center expansion is not for rookies. It is a best practice to work with experienced partners to ensure that the expansion meets technical, environmental, and regulatory requirements. Experienced partners can help mitigate the risk of costly mistakes by leveraging their expertise in data center design, construction, and operations.
The adoption of AI and IoT has resulted in an explosion of data that requires storage and processing. This growth in data creation has led to the rapid expansion of the data center market. As AI continues to become more widespread, the demand for computing power will keep increasing, thereby driving the need for more data centers to support this growth. The investment in hardware and data center infrastructure required to support AI is significant and should not be undertaken lightly. Collaboration between stakeholders, thorough research, and analysis are vital to ensuring that data center infrastructure supports the growth of AI.