The Data Center Boom Won’t Stop—But Should It?
AI doesn’t run on magic. It runs on data centers the size of small cities, devouring energy and land at a record pace. Tech giants are spending hundreds of billions to fuel AI’s expansion, but with rising power shortages and government pushback, how long before this growth hits a wall?
The race to build AI-ready data centers is accelerating, with companies like Meta, Google, and Microsoft pouring $180B+ annually into new infrastructure. Yet, supply can’t keep up; power shortages, zoning laws, and long construction times are creating bottlenecks.
Despite concerns, demand keeps rising as AI models, cloud computing, and IoT adoption skyrocket. Even if AI becomes more efficient, data centers will remain essential for future applications.
We’re building the digital backbone of the future but at what cost? Will AI innovation outpace infrastructure constraints, or will physical limits force a reckoning?
Read the full article on The Economist.
----
💡 If you enjoyed this content, be sure to download my new app for a unique experience beyond your traditional newsletter.
This is one of many short posts I share daily on my app, and you can have real-time insights, recommendations and conversations with my digital twin via text, audio or video in 28 languages! Go to my PWA at app.thedigitalspeaker.com and sign up to take our connection to the next level! 🚀
If you are interested in hiring me as your futurist and innovation speaker, feel free to complete the below form.
Thanks for your inquiry
We have sent you a copy of your request and we will be in touch within 24 hours on business days.
If you do not receive an email from us by then, please check your spam mailbox and whitelist email addresses from @thedigitalspeaker.com.
In the meantime, feel free to learn more about The Digital Speaker here.
Or read The Digital Speaker's latest articles here.
Dr Mark van Rijmenam
Dr. Mark van Rijmenam, widely known as The Digital Speaker, isn’t just a #1-ranked global futurist; he’s an Architect of Tomorrow who fuses visionary ideas with real-world ROI. As a global keynote speaker, Global Speaking Fellow, recognized Global Guru Futurist, and 5-time author, he ignites Fortune 500 leaders and governments worldwide to harness emerging tech for tangible growth.
Recognized by Salesforce as one of 16 must-know AI influencers , Dr. Mark brings a balanced, optimistic-dystopian edge to his insights—pushing boundaries without losing sight of ethical innovation. From pioneering the use of a digital twin to spearheading his next-gen media platform Futurwise, he doesn’t just talk about AI and the future—he lives it, inspiring audiences to take bold action. You can reach his digital twin via WhatsApp at: +1 (830) 463-6967.
