At infra/STRUCTURE 2025, held at The Wynn Las Vegas, industry leaders from Structure Research, Iron Mountain, Compass Datacenters, and TA Realty examined how hyperscales are evolving faster than ever and changing the landscape in data infrastructure.

During the infra/STRUCTURE Summit 2025, held at The Wynn Las Vegas from October 15-16, a panel of industry leaders explored how global hyperscale development models are being transformed by changing procurement dynamics, third-party partnerships, and market-specific constraints.

Moderated by Ainsley Woods, Research Director at Structure Research, the session “Shifting Hyperscale Landscape and Engagement Models” brought together a mix of perspectives from across the ecosystem: Rohit Kinra, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Hyperscale at Iron Mountain; Chris Crosby, CEO of Compass Datacenters; and Adam Black, Senior Vice President of Design and Construction at TA Realty. Together, they discussed how hyperscalers and operators are realigning strategies to manage cost, speed, and risk in an increasingly complex global landscape.

Shifting Toward Third-Party Leasing

Opening the session, Woods noted that while self-build remains a significant approach for hyperscalers, the shift toward third-party leasing continues to accelerate. Kinra explained that this movement reflects a growing appetite to transfer financial and operational risk to providers better equipped to deliver consistent, on-schedule capacity.

“This dynamic enables hyperscalers to focus on core digital capabilities while maintaining agility,” said Kinra.

Crosby observed that data center companies have evolved from highly specialized infrastructure firms into multifunctional operators that behave more like software-driven entities. “The mindset is shifting from ‘construction’ to ‘continuous delivery,’ emphasizing iterative improvement and efficiency at scale.”

Procurement Models and Utility Coordination

Woods directed the discussion toward procurement models, noting “that evolving regulations and nimbyism are materially reshaping project timelines and commitments.”

“Hyperscale leasing can range from single-megawatt tranches to long-term strategic leases, striking a balance between flexibility and guaranteed availability,” said Kinra.

“The necessity of robust collaboration with utilities, pointing out that committed paperwork and confirmed timelines are now prerequisites for greenlighting new projects,” said Crosby. “This transparency and early engagement build trust and ensure that supply chains remain resilient amid rapid scaling.”

Standardization versus Customization

Bringing an engineering and construction perspective, Black said, “The industry is adopting a manufacturing approach to design and delivery. By standardizing components and processes, data center builders are compressing construction cycles, driving down costs, and minimizing rework.”

At the same time, Kinra warned that “flexibility remains crucial, as hyperscalers must frequently adjust designs based on power availability and evolving hardware requirements. Balancing repeatability and adaptability will continue to define long-term competitiveness in global hyperscale markets.”

Partnering for Speed and Scale

When asked whether third-party providers could outperform self-build models, Kinra pointed to overseas examples.

“In high-density Asian markets,” said Kinra, “it’s where leasing has provided a faster and less risky entry point.”

“Experienced operators, especially those with industrial real estate expertise, bring an unlocking function to hyperscalers, helping them secure viable space and navigate permitting challenges,” Crosby underscored.

This is where partners may play a key role in both speed and scale.

“Collaboration, not competition, between hyperscalers and third-party providers will define the next frontier of scale,” said Black. “Flexibility, transparency, and shared accountability are now non-negotiable for long-term partnership success.”

Research, Adaptation, and the Path Forward

In closing, Woods prompted the group for key takeaways. The panelists unanimously emphasized continuous innovation, research, and foresight as the only way to stay aligned with hyperscale’s relentless pace.

“With infrastructure design cycles shortening and technology requirements diversifying,” Kinra concluded, “the winners will be those who can adapt fastest while maintaining reliability and customer focus.”

Infra/STRUCTURE Summit 2026: Save the Date

Want to tune in live, receive all presentations, gain access to C-level executives, investors and/or industry-leading research? Then save the date for infra/STRUCTURE 2026, set for October 7-8, 2026, at The Wynn Las Vegas. Pre-Registration for the 2026 event is now open, and you can visit www.infrastructuresummit.io to learn more.

The post Shifting Hyperscale Landscape: Exploring New Models of Growth, Collaboration, and Risk in Data Infrastructure appeared first on Data Center POST.

The infra/STRUCTURE Summit 2025, held recently at The Wynn in Las Vegas on October 15-16, brought together industry leaders from Innovorg and Syntax to discuss the intersection of business strategy and technological innovation.

This infra/STRUCTURE Summit 2025 session spotlighted pivotal discussions on how organizations are shifting their models, developing AI capabilities, and managing talent for sustainable growth. Understanding these insights is crucial for infrastructure professionals aiming to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving landscape.

Key Voices and Perspectives

The session was led by prominent platform innovator, Elya McCleave, CEO of Innovorg, a strategic leader passionate about integrating business and technology, and whose company is at the forefront of digital transformation. Additionally, Christian Primeau, CEO of Syntax, shared insights on leadership and the importance of curiosity and continuous education, drawing from its experience with product engagement and strategic positioning. Together, they emphasized the significance of a clear strategy, identity, and skill management in driving growth.

Throughout the discussion, McCleave underscored the importance of leveraging mergers and acquisitions for talent addition, citing Innovorg’s efforts in developing over 700 AI agents through employee training programs.

“This initiative illustrates the ongoing shift from a data center-centric model to an ecosystem-focused approach,” said McCleave, “which has drastically reduced data center revenue from 90% to less than 1%.”

They also highlighted the importance of strategic market exploration, exploring talent sourcing in Korea and Argentina, and fostering employee mobility through programs like “global tourism.”

Major Takeaways and Their Relevance

Speaking extensively about the connection between business and technology integration, McCleave emphasized that success depends on a clear strategy, strong identity, and skill management.

“Leaders are focusing on defining clear identities, strategies, and service models that create sustainable value,” said McCleave. “The commitment to upskilling over 3,000 employees in AI and automation reflects a proactive approach to future-proofing the workforce. Whereas, the bottom-up model of AI agent development demonstrates empowering employees to innovate directly.”

The shift away from traditional data centers toward a broader ecosystem model signifies a fundamental change in infrastructure operations. This evolution enhances agility and trust management across multi-cloud environments.

“Exploring global markets and flexible work arrangements indicate a strategic move to attract and retain top talent,” said McCleave. “Programs allowing employees to work remotely from diverse locations reinforce this commitment.”

Primeau contributed perspectives on leadership and engagement, emphasizing curiosity and lifelong learning as key elements of effective leadership.

“I encourage integrating personal experiences and storytelling into leadership development to strengthen connection and authenticity,” said Primeau. “Managing an extensive portfolio of applications across multiple clouds requires sophistication, trust, and strategic orchestration,” he said. “This is an essential focus area for modern infrastructure teams.”

Final Thoughts and Call to Action

These insights from the infra/STRUCTURE Summit 2025 demonstrate that innovation, strategic talent management, and technological agility are pivotal for infrastructure success. As organizations look to the future, embracing these trends will not only drive growth but also ensure resilience in an increasingly complex digital landscape.

Infra/STRUCTURE 2026: Save the date

Join industry leaders and pioneers to explore new horizons in infrastructure innovation. To tune in live, receive all presentations, gain access to C-level executives, investors and/or industry-leading research, save the date for infra/STRUCTURE 2026. It will be held October 7-8, 2026, at The Wynn Las Vegas. Pre-Registration for next year’s event is now open, so visit www.infrastructuresummit.io to learn more.

The post Transforming Infrastructure with Business and Technology appeared first on Data Center POST.

At infra/STRUCTURE Summit 2025, industry leaders from Layer 7 Capital, Hivelocity, and 365 Data Centers discussed issues facing private and edge cloud services.

The infra/STRUCTURE Summit 2025, held at The Wynn Las Vegas October 15-16, 2025, brought together some of the most dynamic individuals in the digital infrastructure industry to explore some of the major challenges in the age of artificial intelligence. Among the most future-forward sessions was “M&A Challenges and Opportunities in Private Cloud and Edge Cloud” markets.

Moderated by Steve Lee, managing director at Layer 7 Capital, a seasoned voice in infrastructure services, the discussion included Jeremy Pease, CEO of Hivelocity, and Bob DeSantis, CEO of 365 Data Centers, where they covered the rapidly evolving digital-infrastructure landscape of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in private-cloud and edge-cloud markets.

AI Is Redrawing the Map of Global Opportunity

The changes in this landscape are being driven not just by traditional scale, but by shifting partner ecosystems, platform consolidation, and the rising importance of bare-metal/edge solutions.

This topic matters because as a major platform, vendors change strategy and partner models and cloud/colocation providers must adapt or risk being left behind. The conversation touched on the implications of big acquisitions (for example, around virtualization platforms), how service-providers are responding, and what this means for M&A opportunities. Major platform shifts – particularly by vendors like Broadcom after its acquisition of VMware – are up-ending partner ecosystems, costing service-providers, and forcing new strategies.

“VMware’s partner count has been dramatically cut, from thousands to around 15 in the U.S., creating major uncertainty for providers,” Pease said.

“365 Data Centers,” DeSantis said, “is moving toward open-source solutions and white-labeling strategies to manage cost and complexity.”

Platform Disruption Impacts Partner Ecosystems and Cost Models

Acquisitions, like Broadcom’s, has disrupted the virtualization and private-cloud ecosystem by reducing the number of official partners significantly. “This has ripple effects,” Pease said, “for colocation and cloud-services providers: Many must now renegotiate, restructure, or even exit current programs to continue offering VMware-based services.”

Cost models have changed, Pease noted: “Some companies are saving, but many solution-providers are challenged by the new partner-economics and the uncertain support model. This is relevant because, when the vendor-partner dynamic changes so drastically, service-providers face strategic and operational recalibration: Which platform do I back? What will customers expect? What will the margin look like?”

Differentiating Between Virtualization Platforms Versus Open-Source/Alternative Solutions

“VMware as a virtualization platform still holds strong in large-scale infrastructure with heavy storage, IOPS [input/output operations per second], and virtualization demands,” said Pease. “In contrast, platforms like OpenShift may be suitable for smaller environments, but lag in enterprise-grade features for massive scale.”

Bare-metal hosting has evolved beyond simply providing racks and servers – it now includes automation, ingestion capabilities and edge readiness, they discussed.

“Providers must decide technology bets,” said Pease. “If the large-scale platform evolves, but cost or partner support changes drastically, there may be incentives to go with alternative stacks or bare-metal/edge models. This has direct implications for M&A: acquiring or merging capabilities that support multiple platforms may become more attractive.”

Service-provider Strategies: Cost Optimization, White-labelling, Multi-platform Support

Strategies do differ among firms in the industry. “They are a colocation and multi-tenant cloud services provider,” said DeSantis, “and instead of staying in the ‘premier partner’ tier of VMware which is likely expensive and restrictive under the new model, they decided to work via larger partners for what they need and also to launch an open-source initiative that allows them to hedge risk.”

They mentioned cost differentials in the VMware program, and are exploring white-labeling open-source products through a partner.

“We learn that contractually,” Pease said, “Broadcom’s model now requires partners to hold gear and provide support – some partners are doing lease-back arrangements. There is a heavier requirement for level-one and level-two expert support for the VMware platform.”

Varying strategies matter due to cost pressures and changing partner models, which may force providers to rethink business models. “They might shift to white-labelling,” added Pease, “offering multi-platform to stay competitive. M&A may become a way to acquire those capabilities quickly.”

M&A and Consolidation Driven by Platform Shifts and Multi-technology Complexity

These platform disruptions may have fundamental impacts on the M&A market, the moderator observed.

“Indeed, the ecosystem is changing,” said Pease. “Broadcom’s attempt to simplify support by reducing partner count means service providers must weigh which platforms matter and how to support multiple technologies. If a provider has a mix of platforms, acquiring or merging with specialists can be an easier path to capability than building in-house.”

Lee reflected on his board experience: “Convergence into key players is happening. M&A isn’t just about adding scale, but about adding capability and flexibility – especially in an era where edge, bare-metal, and private cloud co-exist with public cloud. Consolidation may accelerate as smaller providers decide to join forces to gain platform-agnostic service capability and stronger vendor partner status.”

Future of Cloud Services, Edge Computing, and Customer Use Cases

Pease talked about bare-metal customers who are trying to reach end-users directly, like streaming, gaming, and crypto-validation. “Private cloud and bare-metal differ not just in hardware, but in how they are managed: bare-metal often powers edge computing and low-latency use-cases, with requirements for automation and ingestion, whereas private cloud may provide more managed abstractions.”

This is relevant as we look toward the future: “As customer demands diversify,” said Pease, “service-providers must build infrastructure that supports those use-cases. M&A can accelerate access to those capabilities. Also, providers must think about the total addressable market, not just in traditional colocation, but in edge‐adjacent segments.”

Infra/STRUCTURE Summit 2026: Save the Date

If you found these insights from the session useful, mark your calendar now: infra/STRUCTURE Summit 2026 – October 7-8, 2026, at The Wynn Las Vegas in Las Vegas. Pre-registration for next year’s event is now open; please visit www.infrastructuresummit.io to learn more!

The post AI’s Effect on Global Market Expansion Patterns: M&A Challenges and Opportunities in Private Cloud and Edge Cloud appeared first on Data Center POST.

A Vision for the Next Era of Compute from Structure Research’s Jabez Tan

Framing the Future of AI Infrastructure

At the infra/STRUCTURE Summit 2025, held October 15–16 at the Wynn Las Vegas, Jabez Tan, Head of Research at Structure Research, opened the event with a forward-looking keynote titled “Where Is AI Taking Data Centers?” His presentation provided a data-driven perspective on how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping digital infrastructure, redefining scale, design, and economics across the global data center ecosystem.

Tan’s session served as both a retrospective on how far the industry has come and a roadmap for where it’s heading. With AI accelerating demand beyond traditional cloud models, his insights set the tone for two days of deep discussion among the sector’s leading operators, investors, and technology providers.

From the Edge to the Core – A Redefinition of Scale

Tan began by looking back just a few years to what he called “the 2022 era of edge obsession.” At that time, much of the industry believed the future of cloud would depend on thousands of small, distributed edge data centers. “We thought the next iteration of cloud would be hundreds of sites at the base of cell towers,” Tan recalled. “But that didn’t really happen.”

Instead, the reality has inverted. “The edge has become the new core,” he said. “Rather than hundreds of small facilities, we’re now building gigawatts of capacity in centralized regions where power and land are available.”

That pivot, Tan emphasized, is fundamentally tied to economics, where cost, energy, and accessibility converge. It reflects how hyperscalers and AI developers are chasing efficiency and scale over proximity, redefining where and how the industry grows.

The AI Acceleration – Demand Without Precedent

Tan then unpacked the explosive demand for compute since late 2022, when AI adoption began its steep ascent following the launch of ChatGPT. He described the industry’s trajectory as a “roller coaster” marked by alternating waves of panic and optimism—but one with undeniable momentum.

The numbers he shared were striking. NVIDIA’s GPU shipments, for instance, have skyrocketed: from 1.3 million H100 Hopper GPUs in 2024 to 3.6 million Blackwell GPUs sold in just the first three months of 2025, a threefold increase in supply and demand. “That translates to an increase from under one gigawatt of GPU-driven demand to over four gigawatts in a single year,” Tan noted.

Tan linked this trend to a broader shift: “AI isn’t just consuming capacity, it’s generating revenue.” Large language model (LLM) providers like OpenAI, Anthropic, and xAI are now producing billions in annual income directly tied to compute access, signaling a business model where infrastructure equals monetization.

Measuring in Compute, Not Megawatts

One of the most notable insights from Tan’s session was his argument that power is no longer the most accurate measure of data center capacity. “Historically, we measured in square footage, then in megawatts,” he said. “But with AI, the true metric is compute, the amount of processing power per facility.”

This evolution is forcing analysts and operators alike to rethink capacity modeling and investment forecasting. Structure Research, Tan explained, is now tracking data centers by compute density, a more precise reflection of AI-era workloads. “The way we define market share and value creation will increasingly depend on how much compute each facility delivers,” he said.

From Training to Inference – The Next Compute Shift

Tan projected that as AI matures, the balance between training and inference workloads will shift dramatically. “Today, roughly 60% of demand is tied to training,” he explained. “Within five years, 80% will be inference.”

That shift will reshape infrastructure needs, pushing more compute toward distributed yet interconnected environments optimized for real-time processing. Tan described a future where inference happens continuously across global networks, increasing utilization, efficiency, and energy demands simultaneously.

The Coming Capacity Crunch

Perhaps the most sobering takeaway from Tan’s talk was his projection of a looming data center capacity shortfall. Based on Structure Research’s modeling, global AI-related demand could grow from 13 gigawatts in 2025 to more than 120 gigawatts by 2030, far outpacing current build rates.

“If development doesn’t accelerate, we could face a 100-gigawatt gap by the end of the decade,” Tan cautioned. He noted that 81% of capacity under development in the U.S. today comes from credible, established providers, but even that won’t be enough to meet demand. “The solution,” he said, “requires the entire ecosystem, utilities, regulators, financiers, and developers to work in sync.”

Fungibility, Flexibility, and the AI Architecture of the Future

Tan also emphasized that AI architecture must become fungible, able to handle both inference and training workloads interchangeably. He explained how hyperscalers are now demanding that facilities support variable cooling and compute configurations, often shifting between air and liquid systems based on real-time needs.

“This isn’t just about designing for GPUs,” he said. “It’s about designing for fluidity, so workloads can move and scale without constraint.”

Tan illustrated this with real-world examples of AI inference deployments requiring hundreds of cross-connects for data exchange and instant access to multiple cloud platforms. “Operators are realizing that connectivity, not just capacity, is the new value driver,” he said.

Agentic AI – A Telescope for the Mind

To close, Tan explored the concept of agentic AI, systems that not only process human inputs but act autonomously across interconnected platforms. He compared its potential to the invention of the telescope.

“When Galileo introduced the telescope, it challenged humanity’s view of its place in the universe,” Tan said. “Large language models are doing something similar for intelligence. They make us feel small today, but they also open an entirely new frontier for discovery.”

He concluded with a powerful metaphor: “If traditional technologies were tools humans used, AI is the first technology that uses tools itself. It’s a telescope for the mind.”

A Market Transformed by Compute

Tan’s session underscored that AI is redefining not only how data centers are built but also how they are measured, financed, and valued. The industry is entering an era where compute density is the new currency, where inference will dominate workloads, and where collaboration across the entire ecosystem is essential to keep pace with demand.

Infra/STRUCTURE 2026: Save the Date

Want to tune in live, receive all presentations, gain access to C-level executives, investors and industry leading research? Then save the date for infra/STRUCTURE 2026 set for October 7-8, 2026 at The Wynn Las Vegas. Pre-Registration for the 2026 event is now open, and you can visit www.infrastructuresummit.io to learn more.

The post Where Is AI Taking Data Centers? appeared first on Data Center POST.

At infra/STRUCTURE Summit 2025, industry leaders from Inflect, NTT and NextDC explored how AI is accelerating development timelines, reshaping deal structures, and redrawing the global data center map.

The infra/STRUCTURE Summit 2025, held at The Wynn Las Vegas from October 15–16, 2025 convened the brightest minds in digital infrastructure to explore the seismic shifts underway in the age of artificial intelligence. Among the most forward-looking sessions was “AI Impact on Global Market Expansion Patterns,” a discussion that unpacked how AI is transforming where and how data centers are developed, financed, and operated worldwide.

Moderated by Swapna Subramani, Research Director, IMEA, for Structure Research, the panel featured leading executives including Mike Nguyen, CEO, Inflect; Steve Lim, SVP, Marketing & GTM, NTT Global Data Centers; Craig Scroggie, CEO and Managing Director, NEXTDC. Together, they examined how the explosive demand for AI compute power is pushing developers to rethink long-held assumptions about geography, energy, and risk.

AI Is Rewriting the Rules of Global Expansion

For decades, site selection decisions revolved around a handful of core variables: power cost, connectivity, and proximity to major user populations. But in 2025, those rules are being rewritten by the unprecedented scale of AI workloads.

Regions once considered secondary are suddenly front-runners. Scroggie noted how saturation in markets like Singapore and Hong Kong has forced expansion across Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and India, each now racing to deliver power, land, and permitting capacity fast enough to attract global hyperscalers.

“You can’t build large campuses in Singapore anymore,” Scroggie said. “But throughout Southeast Asia, we’re seeing rapid acceleration as operators balance scale, sustainability, and access to emerging population centers.”

The panelists agreed that energy constraints, not capital, are now the primary limiting factor. “The short term is about finding locations where power exists at scale,” explained Scroggie. “The longer-term challenge is developing new storage and generation models to make that power sustainable.”

Geopolitics and Sovereignty Are Shaping Investment

AI’s global reach has also brought geopolitics and national sovereignty to the forefront of infrastructure strategy.

“We’re living in more challenging times than ever before,” said Nguyen, referencing chip export restrictions and international trade interventions. “AI is no longer just a technological conversation, it’s a matter of national defense and economic competitiveness.”

He noted that ongoing trade restrictions with China are reshaping who gets access to advanced chips and where they can be deployed. “The combination of geopolitical and local legislative pressures determines the future of global trade management,” Nguyen said.

As countries strengthen data sovereignty and privacy laws, regional differentiation is intensifying. “Every geography has a different view,” Nguyen continued. “Some nations are creating frameworks to enable AI and cross-border data sharing, others are locking down their ecosystems entirely.”

Scroggie echoed this, adding that sovereignty-driven strategies are driving a surge in localized buildouts. “We’re seeing more countries push to ensure domestic control of digital assets,” he said. “That’s changing the structure of global supply chains and creating ripple effects that extend well beyond national borders.”

The Industry’s Race Against Time

The conversation turned toward construction velocity, a challenge every developer feels acutely.

“Are we building fast enough?” Subramani, the moderator of the conversation asked.

“Simply put, no,” said Scroggie. “We can’t keep up with demand. Traditional 12-to-24-month build cycles no longer align with AI’s acceleration curve. We have to find a way to build differently.”

The group discussed the need for new modular construction methods, accelerated permitting, and AI-assisted project management to meet scale and speed requirements.

Nguyen framed it within the broader context of industrial history. “We are standing at the dawn of the next industrial revolution,” he said. “Just as steam, electricity, and the internet reshaped economies, AI will redefine global competitiveness. The countries that can deliver sustainable, affordable power will lead.”

He pointed to the “Jacquard Paradox” of AI infrastructure: the more intelligence we produce, the cheaper it becomes, and the more of it the world demands. “The hallmark of global competitiveness will be the unit cost of producing intelligence,” Nguyen explained. “That requires deep collaboration between developers, energy providers, and governments.”

Evolving Deal Structures Reflect a More Complex Market

The financial framework of data center development is also changing dramatically. Traditional “build-to-suit” models are giving way to more creative, multi-tiered partnerships as both hyperscalers and institutional investors seek flexibility and risk mitigation.

“There’s a diversity of players now entering the market, some with deep operational experience, others completely new to the space,” said Scroggie. “Everyone’s chasing the same megawatts, but their risk tolerance and credit profiles vary widely.”

Scroggie also described how education and transparency have become critical. “We’re constantly advising clients on what’s feasible and what’s not. Many are coming in with unrealistic expectations about speed, power, or pricing. It’s part of our job to bridge that gap.”

The consensus was clear: AI-driven demand has transformed data centers from real estate assets into strategic infrastructure platforms, with financial, political, and environmental implications far beyond the industry itself.

Looking Ahead: The Next Decade of AI-Driven Infrastructure

As the discussion drew to a close, the panelists reflected on the extraordinary pace of change. “AI is not replacing, it’s additive,” said Scroggie. “Every new workload, every new inference model adds demand. The scale we’re dealing with is unprecedented.”

In this new era, speed, sustainability, and sovereignty are the defining dimensions of competitiveness. The industry’s success will hinge on its ability to innovate faster than the challenges it faces, whether those are regulatory, environmental, or geopolitical.

“We’re building the highways of the digital era,” said Nguyen in closing. “And like every industrial revolution before it, those who solve the energy equation will lead the world.”

Infra/STRUCTURE 2026: Save the Date

Want to tune in live, received all presentations, gain access to C-level executives, investors and industry leading research? Then save the date for infra/STRUCTURE 2026 set for October 7-8, 2026 at The Wynn Las Vegas.  Pre-Registration for the 2026 event is now open, and you can visit www.infrastructuresummit.io to learn more.

The post AI’s Impact on Global Market Expansion Patterns: How Artificial Intelligence Is Redefining the Future of Global Infrastructure appeared first on Data Center POST.

How new entrants are reshaping data center operations, capital models, and sustainable development

At the infra/STRUCTURE Summit 2025, held October 15–16 at The Wynn Las Vegas, one of the most engaging conversations explored how a new generation of operators is reshaping the data center landscape.

The session, “New Operating Platforms,” moderated by Philbert Shih, Managing Director of Structure Research, brought together executives leading some of the most innovative digital infrastructure ventures: Ernest Popescu, CEO of Metrobloks Data Centers; Eanna Murphy, Founder and CEO of Montera Infrastructure; and Chuck McBride, CEO of Atmosphere Data Centers.

Together, they discussed how new business models, evolving capital structures, and sustainability commitments are redefining what it means to operate in the fast-changing world of digital infrastructure.

Identifying Gaps in a Rapidly Evolving Market

Shih opened the discussion by noting that the surge in investment across digital infrastructure has created room for new operating platforms to emerge.

“The industry has arguably over-indexed on hyperscale and colocation,” Shih said. “But the opportunity now lies in the gaps, in the diverse mix of services, geographies, and market segments that remain underserved.”

He challenged the panelists to explore how their platforms are addressing those gaps, and what kinds of efficiencies or innovations are shaping their approach.

Building for Speed and Efficiency

Murphy described his company’s focus on secondary and emerging markets, areas where demand is strong but infrastructure capacity has lagged.

“We wanted to look at regions where enterprise customers were underserved,” Murphy said. “Our model focuses on connecting Tier 2 cities and surrounding areas, delivering capacity closer to users and creating new connectivity ecosystems.”

Murphy emphasized that Montera’s approach is designed for speed and scale, combining pre-engineered designs and local partnerships to accelerate delivery.

“Even in smaller markets,” Murphy said, “you can build meaningful density if you plan it right and align with community needs.”

Balancing Capital, Capacity, and Time-to-Market

Popescu noted that access to capital remains one of the biggest hurdles for new operators, especially those outside traditional hyperscale markets.

“There’s plenty of opportunity in the market, but capital deployment still comes down to risk tolerance and timing,” Popescu said. “You can’t shortcut power availability, but you can manage time-to-market with flexible models and smart partnerships.”

Metrobloks focuses on developing scalable, self-performable campuses in underserved markets, combining modular design with utility partnerships to bring new capacity online faster.

“It might not be massive by hyperscale standards,” Popescu said. “But for our customers, being able to access distribution power in 12 to 18 months can make all the difference.”

Sustainability and the Next Generation of Infrastructure

For McBride, sustainability and long-term adaptability are at the heart of his company’s strategy.

“We made a conscious choice not to inherit legacy assets,” McBride said. “Instead, we’re building brand-new AI-ready campuses in underserved markets, what we call next-generation training centers.”

Atmosphere’s developments prioritize renewable energy integration and community revitalization. McBride described projects that convert industrial land, such as former power plant sites, into modern digital campuses.

“We’re taking coal-fired sites and turning them into green campuses,” McBride said. “It’s about giving these sites a second life while meeting the demands of AI and high-performance computing.”

Adapting to Changing Technology Cycles

The conversation turned to how operators are preparing for rapid changes in compute and chip technology, particularly as AI drives unprecedented density and cooling requirements.

Murphy noted the growing challenge of aligning long-term infrastructure planning with short hardware cycles.

“Every six months we’re seeing new chip architectures from NVIDIA, AMD, and others,” Murphy said. “But the data center development cycle is still three to five years. The challenge is designing for what’s next without overcommitting to what’s current.”

Panelists agreed that future-proofing is now a key differentiator, with flexibility, modularity, and liquid cooling readiness built into early designs.

Smarter Capital and Better Collaboration

Reflecting on the evolution of the investment landscape, Popescu shared that today’s capital partners are far more informed about the digital infrastructure asset class than even a few years ago.

“Institutional investors have become much more educated,” Popescu said. “The conversations are smarter, and there’s a better understanding of the balance between cost, speed, and sustainability.”

McBride added that hyperscalers, too, have shown greater willingness to adapt pricing and partnership structures in response to development challenges.

“Three years ago, I had never seen the major cloud players react so quickly,” McBride said. “They know developers are essential to getting capacity online, and that alignment benefits everyone.”

The Opportunity Ahead

In closing, Shih reflected on how the emergence of these new operating platforms is reshaping the broader ecosystem.

“We’re watching the rise of operators who are not just building capacity but reimagining how the industry functions,” Shih said. “They’re bridging the gap between capital, sustainability, and innovation, and that’s what will define the next phase of growth.”

As the digital infrastructure industry continues to evolve, these leaders are demonstrating that success now depends as much on creativity and collaboration as it does on capital and construction.

Infra/STRUCTURE 2026: Save the Date

Want to tune in live, receive all presentations, gain access to C-level executives, investors and industry leading research? Then save the date for infra/STRUCTURE 2026 set for October 7-8, 2026 at The Wynn Las Vegas. Pre-Registration for the 2026 event is now open, and you can visit www.infrastructuresummit.io to learn more.

The post Redefining Investment and Innovation in Digital Infrastructure appeared first on Data Center POST.

Insights from Structure Research, Applied Digital, PowerHouse Data Centers, and DataBank

A New Era of Infrastructure Growth

At the infra/STRUCTURE Summit 2025, held October 15–16 at the Wynn Las Vegas, the session titled “AI: The Next Frontier” brought together data center leaders to discuss how artificial intelligence is reshaping infrastructure demand, investment, and development strategy.

Moderated by Jabez Tan, Head of Research at Structure Research, the conversation featured Wes Cummins, CEO of Applied Digital; Luke Kipfer, Managing Director at PowerHouse Data Centers; and Raul Martynek, CEO of DataBank. Each offered unique perspectives on how their organizations are adapting to the acceleration of AI workloads and what that means for power, scale, and capital in the years ahead.

Industry Transformation – From Hyperscale to AI-Scale

Jabez Tan opened the discussion by reflecting on how quickly the market has shifted. Just one year ago, many were questioning the durability of AI-related infrastructure investments. Now, as Tan observed, “The speed of change has outpaced even the most optimistic expectations.”

Wes Cummins of Applied Digital illustrated this evolution through his company’s own transformation. “We started building Bitcoin data centers,” Cummins said. “We were never a miner, we just built the facilities. Then, when AI took off, we realized our designs could scale. We pivoted early, and when ChatGPT hit, the entire world changed.”

That pivot positioned Applied Digital to become a key player in the new era of high-performance computing (HPC) and GPU-intensive workloads, with facilities like its large-scale campus in North Dakota exemplifying how traditional models have been re-engineered for AI.

Building for Scale – Meeting the Demand Wave

Raul Martynek of DataBank and Luke Kipfer of PowerHouse Data Centers both emphasized how scale and speed have become the defining factors of success. “As an executive developer, you have to have the conviction to bring inventory to market,” Martynek said. “If you’re building in good markets and with the right customers, there’s enormous room for growth.”

Cummins agreed, stressing that the conversation has shifted beyond simply securing power. “We’re moving past the question of who has power,” Cummins said. “Now it’s about who can build at scale, deliver reliably, and operate efficiently. Construction timelines, supply chain access, and delivery speed are the new gating factors.”

The panelists noted that hyperscalers are no longer alone in this race. New AI-focused firms, GPU as a service providers, and cloud entrants are competing for capacity at unprecedented levels, pushing the industry to think and build faster.

Site Strategy and Market Evolution – Staying Close to the Core

On the question of site selection, Martynek explained that traditional Tier 1 markets remain critical, though the boundaries are expanding. “Proximity to major availability zones is still a sound long-term strategy,” Martynek said. “We’re buying land in emerging submarkets of Virginia, for example, close enough to the core, but flexible enough to support scale.”

Kipfer added that hyperscalers’ preferences vary by workload type. “For AI and machine learning, some customers can be farther from peering points,” Kipfer said. “But for commercial cloud and enterprise use cases, Tier 1 and Tier 1-adjacent locations still offer the lowest risk and greatest performance.”

Together, their remarks reflected a balanced market dynamic, one where new geographies are gaining traction, but traditional hubs remain foundational to large-scale AI deployments.

Is This a Bubble? – Understanding the AI Surge

As AI investment accelerates, Tan posed the question many in the audience were thinking: Are we in another tech bubble?

Cummins was direct in his response. “I lived through the dot-com bubble,” he said. “This is different. The rate of adoption and real-world application is unlike anything we’ve ever seen.” He pointed out that ChatGPT reached a billion daily queries in just over two years—compared to Google’s eleven-year journey to the same milestone. “The computing power behind that is staggering,” he added.

Martynek agreed, noting that despite the hype, constraints in power, supply chain, and construction capacity make overbuilding virtually impossible. “It’s actually very hard to build too much right now,” he said. “The market is self-regulating through those bottlenecks.”

Capital Strategy and Long-Term Partnerships

A major theme throughout the discussion was the evolving capital stack supporting AI infrastructure. Martynek shared that DataBank has attracted strong investment from institutional partners seeking stable, long-term returns. “We’ve created investment-grade structures backed by 15-year commitments from top-tier customers,” Martynek said. “That gives our investors confidence and gives us visibility into future growth.”

Cummins added that Applied Digital’s focus is on securing long-term offtake agreements with the right clients, those building sustainable businesses rather than speculative projects. “These are 15-year-plus commitments from high-quality counterparties,” Cummins said. “That’s what allows us to build aggressively but responsibly.”

The panel agreed that long-term alignment between capital providers, developers, and customers will define the next phase of industry maturity.

The Future of AI Infrastructure – Speed, Scale, and Cooperation

Looking ahead, all three panelists emphasized the need for ongoing collaboration across the ecosystem. From developers to operators to hyperscalers, success will depend on shared innovation and operational agility.

Cummins summed up the moment: “The world isn’t going back. We’ve unlocked a new era of computing, and our challenge is to keep up with it. Speed is everything.”

Martynek added, “We’re not overbuilding, we’re underprepared. The companies that can execute with discipline and partnership will define the next decade of infrastructure growth.”

A Market Fueled by Real Demand

The discussion underscored that the AI-driven infrastructure boom is not speculative, it’s structural. Adoption is accelerating faster than any previous technology wave, supply is constrained, and capital is flowing toward long-term, revenue-backed projects. The result is a market with strong fundamentals, focused execution, and unprecedented potential for innovation.

Infra/STRUCTURE 2026: Save the Date

Want to tune in live, received all presentations, gain access to C-level executives, investors and industry leading research? Then save the date for infra/STRUCTURE 2026 set for October 7-8, 2026 at The Wynn Las Vegas. Pre-Registration for the 2026 event is now open, and you can visit www.infrastructuresummit.io to learn more.

The post AI and the Next Frontier of Digital Infrastructure appeared first on Data Center POST.

Insights from RBC Capital Markets, Compass Datacenters, and TD Securities

Understanding the Investment Landscape in a New Era of AI

The infra/STRUCTURE Summit 2025, held October 15–16 at the Wynn Las Vegas, brought together the world’s leading voices in digital infrastructure to explore the industry’s rapid transformation. Among the standout sessions was Investment Perspectives, where experts discussed how artificial intelligence (AI), energy constraints, and capital strategy are reshaping investment decisions and the future of data center development.

Moderated by Jonathan Atkin, Managing Director at RBC Capital Markets, the panel featured Jonathan Schildkraut, Chief Investment Officer at Compass Datacenters, and Colby Synesael, Managing Director at TD Securities. Together, they provided clear insights into the trends influencing where, why, and how capital is being deployed in the infrastructure sector today.

The Shifting Demand Curve: How AI is Driving Data Center Growth

Jonathan Schildkraut opened the discussion by outlining the four primary workloads fueling infrastructure demand: AI training, AI inference, cloud, and social media. He described these workloads as the engines of growth for the sector, emphasizing that most are revenue-generating. “Three of those four buckets are cash registers,” Schildkraut said. “We’re really seeing those revenue-generating workloads accelerating.”

Colby Synesael added that the balance between AI training and inference is shifting quickly. “A year ago, roughly 75% of AI activity was training and 25% inference,” Synesael explained. “In five years, that ratio could reverse. A lot of inferencing will occur near where applications are used, which changes how we think about data center deployment.” Their remarks highlighted a clear message: AI continues to be the dominant force shaping infrastructure demand, but its evolution is redefining both scale and location.

Market Expansion and Power Constraints 

As Tier 1 data center markets face mounting limitations in available land and energy, both Schildkraut and Atkin noted the increasing strategic importance of Tier 2 and Tier 3 regions. Schildkraut cited examples such as Alabama, Georgia, and Texas, which are emerging as viable alternatives due to improved fiber connectivity and more favorable power economics.

Capital Strategy and Facility Adaptability:Investing for the Long Term

The conversation also delved into how investors are evaluating opportunities in an environment of high demand and rapid technological change. Schildkraut explained that access to capital today depends on two critical factors: tenant quality and facility adaptability. “Investors want to know that the tenant and the workload will be there for the long term,” Schildkraut said. “They also care deeply about whether the facility can evolve with future technologies.”

To illustrate this, Schildkraut described Compass Datacenters’ initiative to upgrade power densities, increasing capacity from 6–7 kilowatts per rack to hybrid systems capable of supporting up to 30 kilowatts. This investment is designed to ensure readiness for the next generation of high performance computing and AI workloads. These types of forward looking strategies are helping operators and investors manage both risk and opportunity in an increasingly complex market.

Globalization and Policy Influence 

When the conversation turned to global trends, Schildkraut predicted that AI infrastructure deployment will expand worldwide but at uneven rates. “Availability of power and land isn’t uniform,” he said. “Government incentives will play a critical role in determining which markets can scale.”

Synesael agreed, adding that regions lacking modern AI infrastructure could face growing disadvantages. “Over the next several years, not having this infrastructure in your country or region will become a major constraint on innovation,” Syneasel said. Their perspectives reinforced that infrastructure development is no longer just a commercial priority, it is also a matter of national competitiveness.

A Market Redefined by Technology and Energy

The discussion revealed that the digital infrastructure market is entering a new phase defined by the convergence of AI driven workloads, energy constraints, and strategic capital deployment. As inference workloads expand, Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets rise in importance, and investors prioritize long-term flexibility, the industry’s success will depend on adaptability and foresight. The session made it clear that data centers are no longer just real estate, they are foundational assets powering the next wave of global innovation.

Infra/STRUCTURE 2026: Save the Date

Want to tune in live, receive all presentations, gain access to C-level executives, investors and industry leading research? Then save the date for infra/STRUCTURE 2026 set for October 7-8, 2026 at The Wynn Las Vegas. Pre-Registration for the 2026 event is now open, and you can visit www.infrastructuresummit.io to learn more.

The post Investment Perspectives: Navigating the Future of Digital Infrastructure appeared first on Data Center POST.

At infra/STRUCTURE Summit 2025, industry leaders from Inflect, NTT and NextDC explored how AI is accelerating development timelines, reshaping deal structures, and redrawing the global data center map.

The infra/STRUCTURE Summit 2025, held at The Wynn Las Vegas from October 15–16, 2025 convened the brightest minds in digital infrastructure to explore the seismic shifts underway in the age of artificial intelligence. Among the most forward-looking sessions was “AI Impact on Global Market Expansion Patterns,” a discussion that unpacked how AI is transforming where and how data centers are developed, financed, and operated worldwide.

Moderated by Swapna Subramani, Research Director, IMEA, for Structure Research, the panel featured leading executives including Mike Nguyen, CEO, Inflect; Steve Lim, SVP, Marketing & GTM, NTT Global Data Centers; Craig Scroggie, CEO and Managing Director, NEXTDC. Together, they examined how the explosive demand for AI compute power is pushing developers to rethink long-held assumptions about geography, energy, and risk.

AI Is Rewriting the Rules of Global Expansion

For decades, site selection decisions revolved around a handful of core variables: power cost, connectivity, and proximity to major user populations. But in 2025, those rules are being rewritten by the unprecedented scale of AI workloads.

Regions once considered secondary are suddenly front-runners. Scroggie noted how saturation in markets like Singapore and Hong Kong has forced expansion across Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and India, each now racing to deliver power, land, and permitting capacity fast enough to attract global hyperscalers.

“You can’t build large campuses in Singapore anymore,” Scroggie said. “But throughout Southeast Asia, we’re seeing rapid acceleration as operators balance scale, sustainability, and access to emerging population centers.”

The panelists agreed that energy constraints, not capital, are now the primary limiting factor. “The short term is about finding locations where power exists at scale,” explained Scroggie. “The longer-term challenge is developing new storage and generation models to make that power sustainable.”

Geopolitics and Sovereignty Are Shaping Investment

AI’s global reach has also brought geopolitics and national sovereignty to the forefront of infrastructure strategy.

“We’re living in more challenging times than ever before,” said Nguyen, referencing chip export restrictions and international trade interventions. “AI is no longer just a technological conversation, it’s a matter of national defense and economic competitiveness.”

He noted that ongoing trade restrictions with China are reshaping who gets access to advanced chips and where they can be deployed. “The combination of geopolitical and local legislative pressures determines the future of global trade management,” Nguyen said.

As countries strengthen data sovereignty and privacy laws, regional differentiation is intensifying. “Every geography has a different view,” Nguyen continued. “Some nations are creating frameworks to enable AI and cross-border data sharing, others are locking down their ecosystems entirely.”

Scroggie echoed this, adding that sovereignty-driven strategies are driving a surge in localized buildouts. “We’re seeing more countries push to ensure domestic control of digital assets,” he said. “That’s changing the structure of global supply chains and creating ripple effects that extend well beyond national borders.”

The Industry’s Race Against Time

The conversation turned toward construction velocity, a challenge every developer feels acutely.

“Are we building fast enough?” Subramani, the moderator of the conversation asked.

“Simply put, no,” said Scroggie. “We can’t keep up with demand. Traditional 12-to-24-month build cycles no longer align with AI’s acceleration curve. We have to find a way to build differently.”

The group discussed the need for new modular construction methods, accelerated permitting, and AI-assisted project management to meet scale and speed requirements.

Nguyen framed it within the broader context of industrial history. “We are standing at the dawn of the next industrial revolution,” he said. “Just as steam, electricity, and the internet reshaped economies, AI will redefine global competitiveness. The countries that can deliver sustainable, affordable power will lead.”

He pointed to the “Jacquard Paradox” of AI infrastructure: the more intelligence we produce, the cheaper it becomes, and the more of it the world demands. “The hallmark of global competitiveness will be the unit cost of producing intelligence,” Ngyen explained. “That requires deep collaboration between developers, energy providers, and governments.”

Evolving Deal Structures Reflect a More Complex Market

The financial framework of data center development is also changing dramatically. Traditional “build-to-suit” models are giving way to more creative, multi-tiered partnerships as both hyperscalers and institutional investors seek flexibility and risk mitigation.

“There’s a diversity of players now entering the market, some with deep operational experience, others completely new to the space,” said Scroggie. “Everyone’s chasing the same megawatts, but their risk tolerance and credit profiles vary widely.”

Scroggie also described how education and transparency have become critical. “We’re constantly advising clients on what’s feasible and what’s not. Many are coming in with unrealistic expectations about speed, power, or pricing. It’s part of our job to bridge that gap.”

The consensus was clear: AI-driven demand has transformed data centers from real estate assets into strategic infrastructure platforms, with financial, political, and environmental implications far beyond the industry itself.

Looking Ahead: The Next Decade of AI-Driven Infrastructure

As the discussion drew to a close, the panelists reflected on the extraordinary pace of change. “AI is not replacing, it’s additive,” said Scroggie. “Every new workload, every new inference model adds demand. The scale we’re dealing with is unprecedented.”

In this new era, speed, sustainability, and sovereignty are the defining dimensions of competitiveness. The industry’s success will hinge on its ability to innovate faster than the challenges it faces, whether those are regulatory, environmental, or geopolitical.

“We’re building the highways of the digital era,” said Nguyen in closing. “And like every industrial revolution before it, those who solve the energy equation will lead the world.”

Infra/STRUCTURE 2026: Save the Date

Want to tune in live, receive all presentations, gain access to C-level executives, investors and industry leading research? Then save the date for infra/STRUCTURE 2026 set for October 7-8, 2026 at The Wynn Las Vegas. Pre-Registration for the 2026 event is now open, and you can visit www.infrastructuresummit.io to learn more.

The post How Artificial Intelligence Is Redefining the Future of Global Infrastructure appeared first on Data Center POST.