Pan African Data Centres and Cloud Solutions Africa hosted a webinar. This article is part six of a six-part series.
There is considerable potential for water recycling and sustainable cooling solutions to mitigate environmental impact. Macrovector | Freepik.com
In a bid to explore the burgeoning role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in shaping the future of data centres, the Pan African Data Centres and Cloud Solutions Africa jointly organised a webinar titled ‘AI – The driving force of future data centres’. The virtual event delved into the remarkable advancements in data centre density and the pressing need for energy efficiency and sophisticated cooling solutions.
The webinar, hosted by Amy Hopkinson, conference producer of the Pan African Data Centres 2024 event, featured a distinguished panel of industry experts:
- Vanessa Moffat, EMEA Channel Partner manager at EkkoSense
- Samuel Chukwukereuba, Data Centre manager, Project Implementations at Digital Realty
- Niraj Shah, Sales and Business Development director at IX Africa
- Keith Sullivan, director of Strategic Innovation at AFL
One of the key points highlighted during the discussion was the broad spectrum of AI applications, ranging from large language models like GPT-4 to more specific and focused models tailored to niche industries. While the deployment of massive AI models may require significant power and infrastructure, many applications, such as those in manufacturing or pharmaceuticals, can be accommodated within existing data centre capacities.
Sullivan, an expert in data centre design, emphasised the importance of understanding the specific power requirements of AI applications. He explained that while some AI instances may demand high power densities, others can function effectively with lower power consumption. This underscores the need for flexibility and adaptability in data centre infrastructure to meet diverse AI needs.
Shah further elaborated on the necessity of adaptive solutions, noting that AI deployment should be approached with consideration for the unique requirements of each industry and use case. Whether it’s optimising manufacturing processes or enhancing healthcare services, data centres must be equipped to accommodate a wide range of AI applications.
The discussion also touched upon retrofitting existing data centres to cope with the demands of AI. While retrofitting can be challenging, experts agreed that it is essential to address the increasing power and infrastructure needs driven by AI technologies. However, building scalable and adaptable data centres from the outset remains the preferred approach to effectively accommodate AI deployments.
In response to a question about the minimum power capacity per rack to accommodate GPUs, experts emphasised the importance of evaluating power requirements based on specific AI applications rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach. This further underscored the need for adaptive solutions tailored to individual use cases.
In conclusion, the consensus among industry experts is clear: AI deployment in African data centres requires adaptive solutions that are tailored to the diverse needs of different industries and use cases. By embracing flexibility, scalability and forward-thinking design principles, data centres can effectively harness the power of AI to drive innovation and sustainable growth across the continent.
The conversation underscored the diversity of AI applications and the need for adaptive solutions tailored to specific industries and use cases. While legacy infrastructure may present challenges, experts agreed that Africa has the opportunity to leverage new technologies before mature markets, positioning itself ahead in certain areas.
Shah emphasised the importance of AI in addressing limitations such as education and healthcare access, highlighting the potential for rapid adoption and impact across various sectors. He also noted the growing trend of harnessing water for cooling purposes, emphasising the need for sustainable practices and effective utilisation of resources.
Sullivan echoed the sentiment that Africa can adopt AI quickly, citing examples of innovative applications such as AI-driven monitoring of diesel generators. He emphasised the importance of designing data centres with sustainability in mind, including effective water usage and green practices.
The discussion delved into the evolving landscape of liquid cooling technologies, particularly in response to the increasing power densities of AI applications. Experts highlighted the efficacy of direct-to-chip water cooling in high-density environments, noting its role in enhancing efficiency and flexibility within data centres.
Participants also addressed concerns surrounding water usage in data centres, emphasising the importance of responsible practices and resource management. Shah and Sullivan highlighted the potential for water recycling and sustainable cooling solutions to mitigate environmental impact.
As the webinar concluded, participants expressed optimism about the future of AI deployment and liquid cooling in African data centres. They encouraged continued collaboration and innovation to maximise the potential of these technologies while ensuring sustainability and resilience in infrastructure development.
The webinar concluded with a call to action for attendees to explore further discussions and opportunities at the upcoming event in July, underscoring the importance of ongoing dialogue and engagement in shaping the future of data centres in Africa.
