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Artificial intelligence (AI) is not new it has been evolving for over 70 years.
Yet, this surge presents significant challenges for operators who must rethinkinfrastructureto keep up.
A holistic approach to design is now essential to overcome operational inertia and ensure scalability.
Here are some key takeaways from our discussion.
Sales director, UK, Onnec Group.
Unlike conventional IT workloads,AI toolsare highly unpredictable and often require immense power and cooling capabilities.
In some regions, such as Sweden, retrofitting existing sites is becoming increasingly unfeasible.
Without this shift, retrofitting will remain costly, slow, and ultimately ineffective in supporting AI growth.
Flexibility and scalability are paramount here.
AI-ready facilities must accommodate a range of workloads, from low-density racks to 100kW+ liquid-cooled deployments.
This is where a modular approach is key.
Operators must be able to expand incrementally by adding power and cooling modules as demand grows.
This strategy helps to align with customer-specific hardware needs and avoids unnecessary upfront costs.
Operators must embrace a holistic design mindset.
Poor planning leads to capacity constraints, delays, and costly modifications.
High-quality cabling is another crucial yet often overlooked element.
Hyperscalers invest heavily in structured cabling strategies, andcolocation providersmust follow suit to remain competitive.
Sustainability: The Industrys Biggest Challenge
Sustainability remains the most pressing issue facing the data center industry.
Simply acquiring renewable energy certificates is no longer enough operators must actively reduce their carbon footprint.
One major consideration is location.
Many data centers in the Nordics are built in remote areas where excess heat cannot be effectively utilized.
Many Swedish data centers are integrated with Stockholms district heating internet, selling excess heat back to the city.
Regional climate also plays a role in determining the best cooling strategies.
Best practices in sustainability extend beyond cooling solutions.
Undertrained workers in these environments pose significant operational risks.
The rapid pace of AI-driven expansion also increases workplace safety concerns.
Shortened build timelines can lead to accidents if proper safety protocols are not enforced.
Proactive risk assessments, rigorous documentation, and meticulous planning are essential to maintaining a safe working environment.
Operators today must prioritize worker safety as much as they do technological innovation.
Community engagement is another critical aspect often overlooked.
Success will depend on more than just infrastructure it will require a shift in mindset.
Those who fail to take this holistic view risk falling behind in an increasingly competitive landscape.
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The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc.
