Deployment of AI is growing and the industry is responding as best it can to manage demands, requirements and expectations. AI is going global! So much has happened within the past 12 months, pushing AI to the forefront of data centre agendas. On a recent webinar we discussed how AI is shifting the data centre landscape, whilst becoming a driving force for the future. Here are three key takeaways from the webinar, and our esteemed panel of speakers.
- Geography and design. AI has a widespread reach which influences the geography and location of data centres with many existing centres having to up their game. In Europe AI is being deployed in existing sites, whilst North America is seeing an increase in purpose built sites to manage AI capacities. Across Africa and other regions CoLos are the preferred choice, with smaller sites adopting AI requirements. Already, we are seeing quick responses and innovation to ensure that AI can successfully be deployed.
- You need deep pockets when it comes to AI. The recent news from NVIDIA regarding their Blackwell GPU has ignited the data centre industry. Its deliverance of 120kw per rack is pushing the boundaries of existing capacity – it’s also pushing cooling limits, but that’s another topic. Blackwell GPU, at a cost of $30,000-40,000, has the potential to revolutionise the future of data centres from both a design and operational perspective.
- How do you keep everything cool? We know the demands that AI has on power within data centres, for example 120kw per rack is huge! So, it’s no surprise that considerations for direct to chip cooling and immersion cooling are being made. Yet, what is the best option? Direct to chip certainly can act as a sustainable cooling method and also allow for heat reuse, yet its use of liquid raises questions and perhaps some concerns. The next 12-18 months will prove interesting as the usage of AI grows and the need for greater cooling solutions becomes imperative.
These were just some of the points that came out of the webinar. What was abundantly clear is the interest and excitement that AI is bringing to the industry. There’s so many conversations to be had regarding AI and at the Pan African DataCentres and Cloud Solutions Africa events we will be addressing some of them this July.