Data Centre LIVE 2025: Jason Carolan, Flexential - Fireside
In a wide-ranging fireside chat at Data Centre LIVE, Jason Carolan, Chief Innovation Officer at Flexential, unpacked the future of data centre design – where AI, energy, scalability and security intersect.
Jason brought sharp insight into how data centres must evolve rapidly to meet the demands of modern workloads while navigating infrastructure, environmental and geopolitical pressures.
AI is driving demand, but sustainability remains a two-way street
Asked about sustainability in the context of future-ready data centres, Jason framed it as a dual challenge: “Power and demand are increasing, but AI can also be part of the solution.”
With energy-intensive AI training workloads rising, he pointed to innovation in areas like onsite generation, hydrogen, and even small-scale nuclear options.
Jason also highlighted the inconsistency of industry commitment.
“Some sectors – like financial services – have walked back their climate goals in the past six months,” he noted.
The good news? Regulation and market pressure continue to drive sustainable practices, with new energy sourcing models emerging across North America.
Still, he warned that while the conversation has moved on from simply using renewables, many challenges remain – particularly when scaling operations quickly.
“The grid wasn’t built for this level of growth,” he said.
Scaling through flexibility and modularity
Jason stressed that scalability must now be built in from day one. “You can’t plan six months ahead anymore. It’s two to three years out,” he said.
Flexential’s strategy involves designing modular campuses that support phased buildouts with multi-terabit networking and line-of-sight access to power.
“With rack densities going from 100 to 600kW, everything around the rack must scale too—generators, transformers, substations,” he explained.
While floor space may shrink due to denser racks, cooling, power delivery and operational footprint all expand. “You’ll need more tarmac than ever,” he joked.
He also spotlighted the gap facing enterprises compared to hyperscalers.
“Enterprises have fewer choices. They need to plan years ahead, because equipment and contractors are being snapped up by the biggest players,” Jason warned.
As demand concentrates among major tech firms, flexibility, location and access to energy become even more critical for other players.
Edge, security and the return of location
The session also revisited the concept of edge computing – once a buzzword, now a quietly essential component of real-time AI deployments.
“We don’t talk about edge as much now, but it's become even more relevant,” Jason said.
AI inference for logistics, healthcare and safety applications often requires compute close to source.
“Location will matter again,” he added.
Security concerns were another hot topic.
“The same AI that helps us optimise can also be used to write malicious code,” Jason cautioned.
He called for a layered approach, combining IT and operational technology (OT) security across all connected infrastructure.
“Every IP address, every Bluetooth chip – everything must be monitored,” he said.
With massive capital investments going into AI hardware, protecting it is paramount. From cooling systems to software-defined infrastructure, security must be built in from the ground up.
Skills, standardisation and power politics
Looking ahead, Jason identified the skills gap as one of the industry’s most pressing issues.
“There’s a real shortage of AI infrastructure expertise – not just software, but plumbing, cooling, optical networks,” he said.
With rack designs, connectors and flow rates still vendor-specific, Jason called for Open Compute Project-style standards to emerge.
“We’ll need to create an operating model that doesn’t require a master’s degree in every discipline,” he added.
Power sourcing will remain a central tension. Jason described ongoing engagement with utility providers and regulators, especially as laws emerge requiring renewable-only builds in certain regions.
“Cleaner natural gas is the stopgap – but we also need to give capacity back to the grid, through demand response and storage,” he said.
He noted that data centre operators are now major stakeholders in regional planning.
“We’re having to spend more time than ever with power companies to align on what’s realistic.”
Final thoughts: from robotics to realistic planning
In a more speculative moment, Jason highlighted robotics as an under-discussed but rapidly advancing area.
“We went from autonomous vehicles to personal robotics. I don’t want to load my dishwasher in five years,” he laughed.
He also referenced quantum computing as another looming challenge – particularly its impact on cryptography and security infrastructure.
“We’ll need to rethink key management systems within the next few years.”
But his closing message was grounded: “This is a revolution in scale, speed and complexity. We’re no longer just building infrastructure – we’re enabling national security, health systems and future innovation.”
Jason's core advice: build flexibility, plan early, and be ready to adapt.
With demand only set to grow, it’s the agile players – those with foresight, optionality and technical depth – who will define the next generation of digital infrastructure.
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