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.

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