Telecommunications and data center providers worldwide, and especially in Africa, are increasingly facing challenges due to the growing demands of artificial intelligence (AI). Jon Abbott, Sales Director for Strategic Telecom Clients in EMEA at Vertiv, highlighted these issues while addressing Kenyan leaders in the telecommunications, tower, and colocation sectors in Nairobi.
Impact of AI on Infrastructure
Abbott explained that the rapidly evolving technology landscape is significantly impacting telecom infrastructure and services. By 2030, the entire communications network is expected to undergo substantial changes due to advancements in technology. According to the 2023 Digital Quality of Life Index, Kenya ranks 76th out of 121 countries globally and 3rd out of 25 African countries in terms of digital well-being. However, it drops to 82nd in terms of AI readiness.
“The challenge for Kenya is that AI adoption is transforming the IT stack and our IT infrastructures. Accelerated architectures will be needed to meet the demands of AI workloads,” Abbott stated. He noted that network developments will involve operational adjustments, which may be less visible to consumers but will include changes in network ownership and increased service costs driven by rising energy consumption.
Focus on Efficiency and Sustainability
Abbott emphasized that as AI demands increase, there will be a stronger focus on efficiency and sustainability. This includes a shift towards edge computing, which will drive collaboration among major tech companies and necessitate increased standardization across infrastructure. Additional changes will involve more open-source groups, commoditized hardware, integrated data processing, and new private network ecosystems.
“The Internet of Things (IoT) will also play a role in unlocking insights and efficiencies across various sectors, leading to the proliferation of smaller, localized facilities,” Abbott explained.
Evolution of Data Centers
According to Abbott, traditional data centers will not disappear but will continue to grow alongside the emergence of smaller edge data centers. These smaller centers will have the same fundamental physical requirements as larger ones, including the need for effective cooling systems to manage energy consumption and ensure operational efficiency and security.
“The challenges include managing energy provision in line with sustainability goals for 2030, dealing with increased rack density, and addressing skill shortages. Providers will face trade-offs between new builds and retrofits, power grid constraints, and the need for rapid deployment solutions,” Abbott noted.
Vertiv’s Role in Addressing AI Challenges
Abbott concluded by stressing that AI will present significant challenges for network providers due to accelerated data consumption and creation across sectors. He reassured that having the right partner, such as Vertiv, which offers expertise in power and thermal management and integrated rack solutions, will facilitate smoother deployment and operation. “Vertiv is well positioned to assist providers through these challenges,” Abbott concluded.
