AI’s Impact on Data Centers: From Hype to Harsh Infrastructure Realities Highlighted at Datacloud Congress in Cannes, as Power Becomes Crucial Requirement for Data Center Operators

At the Datacloud Congress in Cannes, a gathering of international enterprises convened to explore the evolving landscape of data centers and AI’s role within this sphere.

During the event, Annabel Helm, Managing Director of Datacloud, shared insights on organizing one of Europe’s most significant data center conferences. According to Helm, the dialogue has experienced a marked shift from last year’s speculative discussions about AI to this year’s concrete discourse on infrastructure challenges.

“The transformation is palpable,” Helm remarked. “What was once abstract and conceptual has materialized.”

Statistics corroborate her sentiments, with attendance surging by 40% compared to the previous year, accompanied by a 49% increase in C-suite representation. Last year, AI was a dominant topic due to OpenAI’s ChatGPT, but now the demand is tangible and driving significant consequences for our infrastructure.

The influence of AI is reshaping data centers and associated business models. Traditional companies, which have long prioritized securing prime real estate and fiber connections, are now grappling with a more fundamental challenge.

“Looking back five years, even two years ago, the primary requirement for a data center operator was land, followed perhaps by land and fiber, then land, fiber, and water,” Helm explained. “Now, the emphasis has shifted dramatically to power, which is an intriguing development.”