Originally posted on NEDAS! Live

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming industries and societies worldwide, and the data center industry is no exception. In episode 38 of the NEDAS Live! Podcast, Joe Reele, Vice President of Solution Architects at Schneider Electric, and an industry expert, discusses the impact of AI on data center infrastructure, design, and society with Host, Ilissa Miller. The two shed some light on the current state of AI adoption and its potential future.

AI in Data Centers: Unfolding the Possibilities

The discussion kicks off with an exploration of how AI is making its way into data centers. Joe Reele emphasizes that AI is no longer a distant concept but a tangible reality with tangible benefits. From predictive maintenance to energy efficiency optimization, AI is revolutionizing how data centers operate. Joe highlights that AI-driven monitoring and analytics are empowering data centers to be more proactive and responsive, ensuring reliability and minimizing downtime.

Designing Data Center Infrastructure for AI Applications

The conversation then delves into how AI is redefining data center infrastructure design. Joe explains that AI applications demand a different approach to data center design, with the concept of ‘clustering’ playing a significant role. Just like the human brain functions with different clusters, AI data centers are architected to create specialized clusters, each performing a specific function. These specialized structures, meticulously tailored for specific tasks, engender a high-density compute infrastructure that maximizes efficiency and performance. By transitioning to cutting-edge liquid cooling solutions, this evolution further exemplifies the commitment to optimizing computational capabilities while simultaneously addressing the escalating thermal challenges posed by AI’s computational intensity.

Adapting Existing Data Centers for AI

Reele further explores the challenges and opportunities in adapting traditional data centers for AI applications. Joe points out that while it may be possible to retrofit existing data centers for AI, a complete transformation is often required to support the increased power density and cooling demands. Vertical data center designs are also considered as an efficient way to house multiple clusters, reducing copper usage and line losses.

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