The primary focus lies in the rack densities, or the amount of power the equipment within a server rack uses.

Companies that operate data centers have ramped up rack densities from 3 kilowatts (kW) a decade ago to the current average deployment of 10kW per rack. Still, that’s barely sufficient for AI and high-performance computing, which require rack densities of up to 100kW per rack.

Some operators are already leading the charge. Take data center giant Digital Realty, which recently launched a high-density colocation service for workloads of up to 70kW per rack.

“Data centers will have to undergo design and structural updates to accommodate AI workloads,” says Celina Chua, Data Center Client Solutions Director, Capital Markets, APAC, JLL. “These modifications must cater to the increased power consumption, floor loading, and heat generation associated with higher rack densities.”