The Internet is a network of networks. And it's the connections between these networks that can transform a local business into a global enterprise. From the early days of the Internet, Equinix has been one of the primary places where these connections happen.

Equinix has made nearly half a million interconnections between the 10,000 companies using its 270 data centers around the world, making it a key player in the growth of colocation services and cloud computing.

How is Equinix positioned for the AI boom? To find out, we sat down with DD Dasgupta, the Vice President of Product Marketing at Equinix. DD shared his take on the power of ecosystems in the AI economy, the future of inference, and how Equinix is helping enterprise customers chart their way through the AI landscape.

Here's an overview of the conference between Data Center Richness host Rich Miller and DD Dasgupta of Equinix.

00:00 - Intro to DD Dasgupta and his Data Center Journey

02:45 - Overview of Equinix and its global data center ecosystem

04:00 - The AI Opportunity for Equinix and "Equinix 3.0"

07:25 - How Enterprise Customers are Using AI

12:55 - The Ecosystem Outlook - Which Verticals Are Using AI Most?

16:15 - The Equinix Take on Where Inference Will Live

20:25 - Solution Validation Labs - Test Before You Deploy

At Data Center Richness we demystify technology and explain why data centers matter, and what comes next for the Internet, cloud computing and AI. Host Rich Miller is a journalist and analyst who has been covering the data center sector for 25 years.

Subscribe to our channel for more insights: https://www.youtube.com/@DataCenterRichness?sub_confirmation=1

NOW ON SUBSTACK!

Check out the Data Center Richness Substack: https://datacenterrichness.substack.com/

On the Web: Data Center Richness https://datacenterrichness.com/

LINKS FROM THIS SHOW

Equinix https://www.equinix.com/

Distributed AI at Equinix https://www.equinix.com/solutions/distributed-ai

Rich Miller on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/datacenterfrontier/

RELATED VIDEOS:

Why Data Centers Are Moving to Power-Rich Locations https://youtu.be/AlIwlsiLa5M

Data Center Innovation in the Age of AI https://youtu.be/P_0U0SLFJc8?si=Khxv-My10V0V3slU

How Will Data Centers Be Different in 2030 https://youtu.be/IUO8fUWNoX8?si=FmoHM5EuAjOAlnpn

All video by Data Center Richness.

Supplemental music via Epidemic Sound https://share.epidemicsound.com/60o8qx

Thumbnail Image via Equinix

One of the big data center stories of 2025 is the big shift of capacity from crypto to AI computing. In recent months, companies that got their start in crypto infrastructure have signed deals with the largest players in hyperscale AI, winning contracts worth billions of dollars.

One of those is Applied Digital, which has been one of the busiest players in 2025, singing deals for 600 megawatts of capacity on its data center campus in North Dakota.

Our guest today is Wes Cummins, the founder and CEO of Applied Digital, who provides an insider's view on the journey from bitcoin to AI, and how Applied Digital made North Dakota a hyperscale data center market.

Here's an overview of the discussion between Data Center Richness host Rich Miller and Applied Digital CEO Wes Cummins:

00:00 - From Bitcoin to Hyperscale: Wes Cummins' Data Center Journey

02:00 - 2025: A Big Year for Applied Digital

08:15 - 5 Pillars of Data Center Success (Why Capital Matters)

15:25 - Why North Dakota?

20:00 - The Crypto to HPC to AI Transition

23:00 - The Design Differences Between Crypto and AI

31:20 - Flexibility for the Inference-Powered Future

36:45 - The Road Ahead: More Hyperscalers in More Places

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At Data Center Richness we demystify technology and explain why data centers matter, and what comes next for the Internet, cloud computing and AI. Host Rich Miller is a journalist and analyst who has been covering the data center sector for 25 years.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more insights:
https://www.youtube.com/@DataCenterRichness?sub_confirmation=1

Check out the Data Center Richness Substack:
https://datacenterrichness.substack.com/

On the Web:
Data Center Richness
https://datacenterrichness.com/

LINKS FROM THIS SHOW

Applied Digital
https://www.applieddigital.com/

200 MW Hyperscale Lease Announcement
https://ir.applieddigital.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/132/applied-digital-announces-5-billion-ai-factory-lease-with

Wes Cummins on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/wes-cummins-63114481/

Rich Miller on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/datacenterfrontier/

RELATED VIDEOS:

Why Data Centers Are Moving to Power-Rich Locations
https://youtu.be/AlIwlsiLa5M

Why Every Data Center Pro is Talking About Power
https://youtu.be/GJiBqvUl5rU

A Closer Look at Two-Phase Liquid Cooling
https://youtu.be/w_Us94JgYzc

All video by Data Center Richness.

Supplemental music via Epidemic Sound https://share.epidemicsound.com/60o8qx

There's been Gigawatts of on-site power procured for data centers this year. And there's likely much more to come as the rise of AI boosts demand for data center capacity.

Today on Data Center Richness our topic is on-site power and the new energy landscape. Our guest is KC Mares of Megawatt Consulting, who has worked with many of the most consequential companies and projects in the history of the data center industry.

At a time when site selection and power availability are evolving rapidly, KC is helping data center operators adapt to this new world, especially in deploying on-site generation. Mares believes on-site power is not just a bridge solution, but a key strategy for the future as data centers diversify their power resources.

Today on Data Center Richness, KC shares his insights on the energy landscape, the growth of on-site power, and the road ahead for digital infrastructure. Here's an overview of our conversation:

00:00 - The Rise of On-Site Power at Data Centers

01:02 - About KC Mares and his Data Center Journey

04:00 - The State of Data Center Site Selection

08:50 - How AI Has Changed The Equation

18:12 - Turbine Availability & Scaling On-Site Power

27:20 - Energy Storage as an Enabler for Solar and Wind

38:50 - Community Relations and Data Centers in the Headlines

45:15 - The Road Ahead: How AI Can Be A Force for A Better Grid

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At Data Center Richness we demystify technology and explain why data centers matter, and what comes next for the Internet, cloud computing and AI. Host Rich Miller is a journalist and analyst who has been covering the data center sector for 25 years. Subscribe to our channel for more insights: https://www.youtube.com/@DataCenterRichness?sub_confirmation=1

NOW ON SUBSTACK!

Check out the Data Center Richness Substack:
https://datacenterrichness.substack.com/

On the Web:
Data Center Richness
https://datacenterpodcast.com/

LINKS FROM THIS SHOW

Megawatt Consulting
https://megawattconsulting.com/

KC Mares on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kcmares/

Rich Miller on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/datacenterfrontier/

RELATED VIDEOS:

Why Every Data Center Pro is Talking About Power (Dan Crosby)
https://youtu.be/GJiBqvUl5rU?si=PyyLwfBINXWtI8oo

Unlocking Power for AI Growth (Tyler Norris)
https://youtu.be/D6-1QxRRxoA?si=VHUbBdImjKbqAs4g

Why Data Centers Are Turning to Bloom Energy
https://youtu.be/Z-udNWq2bAg?si=vHOizsz7AqT5M7eQ

Supplemental music via Epidemic Sound https://share.epidemicsound.com/60o8qx