How older data centers are keeping pace

In the last three years, the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence has caused a dramatic shift in the data center landscape.

The global data center market is set to expand at a 15% compound annual growth rate, with potential to grow at a 20% rate by 2027, according to JLL’s Global Data Center Outlook.

Yet challenges in sourcing land and power for new sites can mean it takes years for new data centers to be built. Semiconductors and high-powered chips are consuming more power and generating more heat, affecting rack densities, data center designand cooling requirements.

“Keeping existing facilities competitive and efficient is becoming an increasingly vital part of maintaining the current pace of growth,” says Colm Shorten, Senior Director of JLL Data Center Strategy & Innovation.

The growth of AI has created a different set of demands for data centers, which until recently, were largely built to support cloud-based technology operations.

AI and cloud data centers have differing purposes, design and cooling specifications. The rise of the former does not naturally lead to the obsolescence of the latter – but there is a growing need to future proof legacy data centers.

We’re creating ever increasing amounts of data – the IDC is forecasting 192 trillion gigabytes to be generated globally in 2025 alone - meaning the need for cloud services is going nowhere.