AI vs Infrastructure: The AI Data Centre Debate

The rapid rise of AI is reshaping the data centre industry at an extraordinary pace.

As enterprises scale AI-driven applications and workloads, infrastructure is being pushed to new limits, demanding greater power and more advanced cooling solutions.

While the opportunity is vast, so too is the challenge. To meet accelerating demand while maintaining efficiency and sustainability, operators must rethink how data centres are constructed and operated.

At Data Centre LIVE: The London Summit, “The AI Data Centre Debate” panel will explore how the industry is adapting to this shift.

As AI becomes central to digital transformation, organisations are re-evaluating infrastructure strategies to ensure they can support increasingly complex and compute-intensive environments.

From energy consumption to scalability and security, this session will unpack the critical considerations shaping the next generation of data centres.

Rethinking infrastructure for the AI era

AI workloads are fundamentally different from traditional IT demands.

High-performance computing and real-time data analysis require facilities capable of supporting significantly higher power densities. This drives innovation in cooling technologies, including liquid cooling, as well as more efficient power distribution systems.

Energy consumption is one of the most pressing challenges. As AI deployments expand, so too does the strain on power infrastructure, placing sustainability targets under pressure.

Data centre professionals have to balance the need for performance with environmental responsibility, exploring renewable energy integration and smarter energy management strategies.

Scalability is another key concern. AI growth is unpredictable, requiring flexible infrastructure that can scale rapidly without compromising resilience.

At the same time, security considerations are evolving as sensitive data and mission-critical AI systems demand robust protection across increasingly distributed environments.

Industry leaders driving the AI conversation

“The AI Data Centre Debate” brings together leading voices from across the data centre ecosystem, each offering a unique perspective on how AI is transforming infrastructure strategy.

Among the panellists is Lonnie Salmon, Sr. Director of Supply Chain & Procurement Services at Jabil, who will provide insight into how supply chains are adapting to meet the demands of AI-driven infrastructure.

Jean-Francois Berche, CTO at GreenScale Data Centres, will explore how innovation in design and operations is enabling more sustainable and efficient AI-ready facilities.

From a development perspective, Jamie Allen, VP of Site Acquisition & Development at STACK Infrastructure, will discuss how location strategy and site selection are evolving to support high-density AI workloads.

Rounding out the panel, Alex Bennett, Global Strategy Realisation & Transformation Director at NTT Global Data Centers, will share insights on aligning global strategy with the rapid pace of AI innovation.

Click here to learn more about the experts attending Data Centre LIVE.

Join us at Exhibition White City on May 20–21 for Data Centre LIVE: The London Summit. Bringing together industry leaders, innovators and decision-makers, the event offers a platform to explore the trends, technologies and strategies shaping the future of digital infrastructure.

Attendees will gain practical insight from industry experts, hear real-world case studies and connect with peers and key decision-makers who are turning heads in the future of data centres.

Click here to guarantee your ticket for this unmissable event.