What Data Center Innovation Looks Like in the Age of AI

Data center development is moving fast, and so is the computing technology that lives inside them. The AI boom is accelerating just about everything, placing a premium on innovation. So what does data center innovation look like in 2025 and beyond?

To explore this question, we turned to Phill Lawson-Shanks, the Chief Innovation Officer at Aligned Data Centers. Phill has been involved in transformative work in the sector for years, from the edge of the network to the center of the data hall.

On today’s show, Phill shares how modular designs are helping Aligned keep pace with new technology and new hardware, adapting to changes in power and cooling infrastructure, and all the while staying keenly focused on sustainability.

00:00 - Intro and Phill’s “Data Center Journey”

04:16 - What innovation looks like in the age of AI

08:45 - The importance of modularity in an evolving design environment

14:20 - Managing infrastructure through the cloud to AI transition

19:45 - Extending innovation to site selection and the power landscape

24:30 - Prioritizing sustainabilty in a rapidly-evolving energy industry

27:30 - Future-proofing cooling infrastructure

31:30 - The Next 5 Years - How Phill sees it

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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
Aligned Data Centers
https://aligneddc.com/

Phil Lawson-Shanks on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/plawsonshanks/

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

RELATED VIDEOS:

How Aligned is Tackling the Data Center Density Challenge
https://youtu.be/_zeLScBMDxk?si=k6t3xZIJKfWbBdjl

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

How Will Data Centers Be Different in 2030
https://youtu.be/IUO8fUWNoX8?si=QjhHEBlvx3fMR0Z

All video by Data Center Richness.

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

Energy is the lifeblood of every data center. As the AI boom has gained velocity, the focus on energy has intensified as power demand has effectively maxed out existing grid capacity in major data center markets. Understanding the finer points of power has never been more important.

Dan Crosby has helped explain the complexities of the energy market for the data center sector. Dan is the founder and CEO of Legend Energy Advisors, where he and his team helped deploy clients deploy multiple gigawatts of data center projects in 2024.

On this edition of the Data Center Richness. Dan shared his take on how long the current power constraints might last, the growing profile of natural gas for powering large loads, and the opportunities and challenges in deploying onsite power at data centers.

00:00 - Why energy matters right now.

01:32 - Dan Crosby's "Data Center Journey" and background

04:00 - How Legend Energy Advisors works with data center clients.

06:20 - How long will key data center markets remain power-constrained.

10:50 - Onsite power for data centers - the opportunities and challenges.

15:45 - Designing loads and grids - how to manage dynamic power.

18:12 - What are the best strategies to collaborate with utilities?

21:11 - Load flexibility, and how to make it work.

25:15 - The rising profile of natural gas, and the role of renewable energy.

32:50 - Data centers as anchor customers for next-generation nuclear.

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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

Legend Energy Advisors
https://legendenergyadvisors.com/

Dan Crosby on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-crosby-a58a3212/

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

RELATED VIDEOS:

Data Centers, AI and the Future of Power (Elisa Wood)
https://youtu.be/EYo2YK7L5q0?si=ewmU1WMbkHU2lnSh

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

All video by Data Center Richness.

Supplemental thumbnail art by Storyblocks

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

When a data center project comes to town, a question often asked by residents and local officials is “what’s in it for us?” What if there was a guide that could help local officials understand the upside of how digital services can transform their work and their community?

Today we continue our series on data centers and community controversies. Our guest is Ilissa Miller, the CEO of iMiller Public Relations, who has deep experience communicating the benefits of digital infrastructure. Iliisa has also held local office in her community, a role that informs her current work with the OIX Digital Infrastructure Framework, which provides guidance for community planners and economic development officials.

The goal is to empower community leaders to understand the infrastructure they have, what they need, and how to plan for what’s coming. Ilissa has also has insights into the current challenges for data centers in community relations.

Here's an overview of the conversation between host RIch Miller and Ilissa Miller of iMiller PR:

00:00 - A Framework for Better Community Conversations

02:20 - From Opera to Digital Infrastructure: Ilissa Miller's Data Center Journey

05:20 - iMiller PR and its Mission and Services

07:40 - The History of Data Centers and Secrecy

13:50 - How to Improve the Media Narrative

17:30 - Introducing the Digital Infrastructure Framework

21:00 - Digital Infrastructure as a Tool for Master Planning

22:00 - Getting the Word Out

24:30 -Helping Communities Understand the Benefits of Digital Services

26:40 - Where to Learn More

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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:

The OIX Digital Infrastructure Framework
https://www.oix.org/standards-and-certifications/oix-dif-standard/

iMiller Public Relations
https://www.imillerpr.com/

Follow Ilissa Miller on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilissamiller/

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

RELATED VIDEOS:
Data Centers and Community Controversies
https://youtu.be/syRpAj9aCSg?si=aYveuysL-DGCfC5O