In an interview, Digital Realty CEO Andrew Power highlighted the strong and growing demand for AI infrastructure, particularly driven by NVIDIA’s chips, with the company experiencing record growth and preparing for the associated challenges of power density and cooling. He noted that while North America remains a mature market, international demand is rising, indicating a global shift in AI technology adoption, and emphasized Digital Realty’s capability to support this evolving landscape.
In a recent interview, Andrew Power, CEO of Digital Realty, discussed the ongoing demand for AI infrastructure, particularly in relation to NVIDIA’s chips. He emphasized that there are no signs of a slowdown in demand for AI equipment, noting that Digital Realty experienced a record first half of the year, with growth double that of the previous year. This indicates a robust and continuing trend in AI development and infrastructure needs.
Power highlighted the challenges that come with increased demand for AI, particularly regarding the cooling and power density requirements of data centers. He reassured that Digital Realty has been preparing for these challenges for over 20 years, with the necessary technical expertise and engineering capabilities to manage the higher power densities and cooling needs associated with AI workloads. The company has also secured significant capacity to support this growth, with three gigawatts available for rapid deployment.
The conversation also touched on the total cost of ownership when it comes to purchasing accelerator chips. Power explained that while competitors may offer lower initial costs, NVIDIA’s technology provides greater efficiency and performance in the long run. Digital Realty plays a crucial role in providing the physical infrastructure necessary for these chips, including backup generation, connectivity, and cooling systems, which are essential for their clients’ operations.
Power noted that while North America has historically been the most mature market for AI infrastructure, there is a growing demand in international markets as well. He mentioned that AI applications are beginning to take hold in cities like Paris and Frankfurt, indicating a shift towards a more globalized approach to cloud and AI technologies. This expansion reflects the increasing importance of AI across various regions.
Overall, Power’s insights suggest that the demand for AI infrastructure is not only strong but also evolving. Digital Realty is well-positioned to meet this demand with its extensive experience and resources, ensuring that they can support their clients as they adopt the latest technologies for AI development and deployment. The future looks promising for both Digital Realty and the broader AI infrastructure market.