The AI era has redefined data center demands

AI has become the defining force reshaping data center strategy, and its impact is accelerating faster than many facilities teams can adapt. Power demands are soaring, thermal loads are breaking past the limits of traditional cooling, cable and pathway density is multiplying, and once‑steady floor plans are being disrupted by pockets of extreme compute concentration. At the same time, rising energy costs and sustainability scrutiny are transforming infrastructure design from a back‑of‑house function into a front‑line strategic priority.

This refreshed 2026 report distills what's changing and what matters most right now as facilities and infrastructure leaders position their environments for AI's next wave. It highlights the five domains undergoing the most dramatic pressure: power, cooling, cabling, physical footprint and sustainability. More importantly, it explains how each area is evolving and what forward‑thinking organizations are doing to stay ahead.

Inside, you'll find updated industry benchmarks, new regulatory insights and practical guidance drawn from real‑world AI deployments. Whether you're navigating megawatt‑scale planning, piloting liquid cooling, re‑architecting cable pathways or reevaluating your data hall layouts, this report provides clarity on where the industry is headed and what steps will give your teams an advantage.

If you want a clear picture of how facilities infrastructure must adapt, and what actions will prepare your organization for the rapidly intensifying demands of AI, this is the report to read next.

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