Data Center Boom: Navigating the Hottest Industry in the World

03/24/25 • 23 min

Uplink: AI, Data Center, and Cloud Innovation Podcast

How did data centers become one of the hottest industries on the planet?
DataBank CEO Raul Martynek joins us to break down the explosive growth of digital infrastructure—and what it really takes to scale in the AI era.

The data center industry stands at the epicenter of today's technology revolution, experiencing what industry veterans call "the best market ever seen." In this revealing conversation with DataBank's CEO, we dive deep into the forces driving unprecedented growth in digital infrastructure and why this sector has become perhaps the hottest industry globally.
"If you're not doing well as a data center operator these days, I'm not exactly sure what you're doing," our guest explains, highlighting how dramatically the scale of facilities has evolved. What was considered massive in 2017 at just 10 megawatts now pales compared to today's 60-80 megawatt behemoths. DataBank recently secured $2 billion to fund 850 megawatts of new development across key markets including Dallas, Atlanta, and Northern Virginia.
Behind these impressive numbers lies a complex reality many newcomers fail to grasp. The development process spans 3-4 years, involving intricate utility negotiations, equipment with 52-110 week lead times, and strategic connectivity planning. We explore why connectivity represents the "last leg of the stool" in successful data center development, illustrated through South Dallas's transformation into a major data center hub following a single fiber deployment.
The conversation takes a fascinating turn examining how data centers are evolving to meet the demands of AI computing. With some racks now requiring 130 kilowatts, operators must implement sophisticated cooling solutions that can transition between air cooling and direct-to-chip liquid cooling. These technological adaptations happen against the backdrop of sustainability goals, with DataBank targeting 100% renewable energy by 2030.
Whether you're a technology professional, investor, or simply curious about the infrastructure powering our digital world, this discussion provides valuable insights into why data centers represent the essential foundation for AI and the digital economy. The question remains: how long can this extraordinary growth continue?

🚀 Uplink explores the future of connectivity, cloud, and AI—with the people shaping it. Hosted by Michael Reid, we dive into cutting-edge trends with top industry experts.
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🔗 Learn more:
DataBank – https://www.databank.com/
Megaport – https://www.megaport.com/
#Datacenters #AI #DigitalInfrastructure #TechPodcast #CloudComputing #Sustainability #PrivateConnectivity

Previous Episode

The Future of AI Consumption

What powers the AI revolution?
Digital Realty CTO Chris Sharp joins us to explore the evolution of data centers—from invisible infrastructure to the epicenter of next-gen compute.

How did data centers transform from invisible infrastructure to the epicenter of the AI revolution? In this fascinating conversation with Chris Sharp, Chief Technology Officer at Digital Realty, we explore the remarkable evolution of digital infrastructure over the past two decades.
Chris shares his unique perspective from 20+ years in the industry, walking us through the major technological shifts that have reshaped the landscape—from the early networking days through the cloud computing revolution and into today's AI-powered future. He offers an illuminating framework for understanding the economics of AI infrastructure: "tokens to Watts to dollars," which elegantly captures the computational output, power requirements, and financial considerations driving decisions in this space.
The conversation takes us behind the scenes of what's really happening in the race to build AI infrastructure. While headlines focus on companies grabbing land for data centers, Chris reveals the deeper complexities: the engineering expertise required to support ultra-high-density computing, the critical power constraints limiting growth in key markets, and the fascinating emergence of nuclear solutions to these energy challenges.
We also explore the global dynamics at play, from data sovereignty concerns to the risk of countries falling behind if they can't develop adequate power infrastructure. Chris provides valuable insight into how Digital Realty thinks about capital allocation across markets and the evolution of interconnection strategies to support distributed AI workloads.
Whether you're interested in technology infrastructure, renewable energy, or the economics of AI, this conversation offers a rare glimpse into the physical foundation supporting our increasingly digital world. Listen now to understand the critical but often overlooked systems enabling the AI revolution.

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🚀 Uplink explores the future of connectivity, cloud, and AI—with the people shaping it. Hosted by Michael Reid, we dive into cutting-edge trends with top industry experts.
👍 Follow the show, leave a rating, and let us know what you think. New episodes every two weeks.
🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. All streaming links available at: https://www.uplinkpod.com/

📺 Watch video episodes on Youtube: https://mp1.tech/uplink-on-youtube

🔗 Learn more:
Digital Realty – https://www.digitalrealty.com/
Megaport – https://www.megaport.com/
#AI #CloudComputing #DataCenters #DigitalInfrastructure #Podcast

Next Episode

Power & Potential: Brazil's Data Center Revolution

What if the cleanest energy market in the world was also the most cost-effective?
Elea CRO Tito Costa joins us to unpack how Brazil’s renewable energy advantage is reshaping the economics of AI-ready infrastructure.

Brazil's renewable energy matrix is revolutionizing data center operations while attracting global attention. With 90% of the country's power derived from renewable sources (primarily hydroelectric, solar, and wind), Brazil offers a stark contrast to most global markets struggling with just 20-30% renewable energy penetration. This sustainable advantage comes with remarkable economics – clean energy costs just six cents per kilowatt-hour without premium pricing.
For organizations wrestling with power constraints for AI infrastructure, Brazil presents a compelling alternative. While importing equipment still poses challenges, the fundamental economics are shifting conversations among global hyperscalers. This renewable foundation supports Elea's expansion from its 2018 founding (through the acquisition of five data centers) to nine facilities across key Brazilian cities including São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Brasília, Curitiba, and Porto Alegre.
The Brazilian market maintains unique characteristics, with approximately 80% of IT infrastructure still operating on-premise – a figure even higher outside major metropolitan areas. This resulted partly from the historical absence of carrier-neutral facilities in secondary markets and significant latency challenges between regions. When devastating floods hit Porto Alegre in 2023 (described as "Brazil's Katrina"), many corporate data centers were submerged while Elea's professional facility remained operational, dramatically demonstrating the value of purpose-built environments.
Cloud adoption in Brazil has followed a different trajectory than more mature markets. Many organizations attempted to "jump the cycle" by moving directly from on-premise to cloud without adequate preparation, leading to significant repatriation as costs exceeded expectations. Now companies are taking a more measured approach – moving to colocation first, then strategically planning their cloud journey with greater sophistication.
Excited to learn more about sustainable data center operations? Subscribe now to hear future conversations about innovative infrastructure solutions from around the world!

This conversation was recorded in January 2025 at the Pacific Telecommunications Conference in Hawaii.

📺 Watch video episodes on Youtube: https://mp1.tech/uplink-on-youtube
🔗 Learn more:
Elea Digital – https://eleadatacenters.com/en/
Megaport – https://www.megaport.com/
#Sustainability #RenewableEnergy #Datacenters #AIInfrastructure #BrazilTech #CloudComputing #DigitalTransformation