‘Don’t forget to feed your (AI) robot’ – Rocky IV

Recently, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been hitting the headlines. AI technology has far reaching implications affecting sectors all over the world - the data centre industry being no exception. As an industry notorious for being risk averse, the relationship that existing and future data centres will have with AI is going to be complex. On the one hand, AI holds the promise of improved energy efficiency, intelligent workload allocation, and enhanced predictive maintenance. But, in addition to emerging ethical and security concerns, research suggests the use of AI will drive up data centre power consumption as GPUs and high power CPUs are increasingly deployed to crunch data.

With many experienced data centre decision-makers facing uncertainty over the influence AI will have on the sector, we’re dedicating this i3 Solutions Group newsletter to how AI will impact the future data centre, by asking ChatGPT itself. Seems an odd concept when delivering a prediction, but by using AI, our newsletter can provide a non-bias outlook on the challenges and considerations data centre operators need to think about when using the technology in facilities.

The content of this newsletter has been entirely generated by ChatGPT 3.5 using 1.5 billion training parameters. It’s worth pointing out that what you’re reading has been written by a version that is no longer being shared by its creators, having since been superseded by an AI with an estimated 100 trillion training parameters.

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Challenges Faced by Data Centre Operators when Using AI

According to ChatGPT, data centre operators encounter several challenges when implementing AI technologies:

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1.???Data Quality and Availability: AI algorithms depend on high-quality, reliable data. Data centre operators need to ensure data accuracy, integrity, and accessibility to derive meaningful insights and optimize AI-driven processes.

2.???Infrastructure and Scalability: AI applications demand robust and scalable infrastructure to handle the computational requirements. Data centres must have adequate hardware, networking, and storage capabilities to support AI workloads effectively.

3.???Training and Skill Development: Building a proficient AI team requires investing in training and skill development. Data centre operators should provide resources and training opportunities to equip their staff with the necessary expertise to manage and maintain AI systems effectively.

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Three Main Considerations when Using AI for Data Centres

When adopting AI in data centres, ChatGPT suggests the following three key considerations should be at the forefront:

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1.???????Alignment with Business Objectives: AI implementation should align with the broader business goals of the data centre. It is crucial to identify specific use cases, prioritize areas that can benefit from AI, and define clear objectives to maximize the value derived from AI technologies.

2.???????Ethics and Transparency: Data centre operators should establish ethical guidelines and practices to ensure transparency, fairness, and accountability in AI-driven decision-making. Regular audits and monitoring mechanisms can help mitigate potential biases and promote responsible AI usage.

3.???????Collaboration and Partnerships: Engaging with AI solution providers, industry experts, and thought leaders can facilitate knowledge exchange and collaboration. Partnerships can accelerate the implementation of AI technologies in data centres, leverage best practices, and navigate challenges effectively.

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As AI continues to evolve, data centres have an immense opportunity to leverage its capabilities and revolutionize their operations. By carefully addressing challenges, considering ethical implications, and prioritizing business objectives, data centre operators can unlock the full potential of AI, enhancing efficiency, sustainability, and overall performance.

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If any of these considerations have sparked a question, please leave a comment. Building future-state data centres, which are smart and sustainable, can only be achieved by the collective effort of our industry. In forthcoming newsletters, we’ll look at how AI can inform that way data centres are powered and cooled.