Future-proofing Data Centres: Navigating Change and Optimising Decarbonisation Strategies

In this episode of the DDI podcast, Mark Yeeles speaks with Matt Quirk, Director HPE WW Channel and Partner Ecosystem at Hewlett Packard Enterprise, about the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence and its implications for businesses.They discuss the challenges of AI adoption, the importance of sustainability in technology, and the critical role of partnerships in driving innovation.Matt shares his personal journey in the tech industry and highlights the collaborative efforts between HPE and NVIDIA to simplify AI solutions for enterprises. The conversation emphasises the need for transparency and actionable sustainability goals in the tech sector.

In this episode of the DDI podcast, Mark Eales speaks with Dan Scarbrough, Chief of Staff at Stelia (Chief Commercial Officer at the time of recording), about the evolving landscape of AI and data mobility. They discuss the challenges faced by the data centre industry in adapting to the demands of AI, the importance of interconnectivity, and the role of sustainability in the future of technology. Dan shares insights from his extensive experience in the data centre sector and emphasizes the need for a more interconnected and efficient data infrastructure to support the growing volume of data generated by AI applications.

In this episode of the DDI podcast, Mark Yeeles speaks with Garry Connolly, founder of Digital Infrastructure Ireland, about the evolution of digital infrastructure, the importance of data, and the role of communication in technology. They discuss real-world applications of data, the challenges and opportunities facing Ireland in the digital race, and the need for a collaborative approach to sustainability and decarbonisation in the industry. Their conversation emphasises the importance of storytelling and understanding in driving the industry forward.

In this episode of the DDI podcast, Mark Yeeles speaks with Tim Loake, VP Infrastructure Solutions Group UK at Dell Technologies, about the intersection of AI, infrastructure, and energy sustainability. They discuss Tim's career journey, the challenges of AI adoption, the importance of skills in the tech industry, and the future of data centres. Tim explains how he sees AI as a "plumbing problem", emphasising the need for liquid cooling in high-performance data centres and the potential for regional energy pricing to drive investment in AI growth zones. The conversation highlights the transformative impact of AI on productivity and the necessity for a skilled workforce to navigate the evolving tech landscape.

Kicking off the latest season of the DDI podcast, Mark Yeeles speaks with David Hogan, NVIDIA's Vice President of Enterprise in EMEA, about the transformative impact of AI across various sectors, particularly healthcare. They discuss Hogan's journey to NVIDIA, the evolution of AI, and the importance of data sovereignty for governments. The conversation also touches on the collaboration needed across industries to harness AI's potential, the balance between AI's energy consumption and sustainability, and the future of automated data centres. Finally, they emphasise the need for training the next generation of AI professionals and the importance of being open to new market opportunities.

In this bonus episode of the DDI Podcast, hear one of the many interesting panels that took place at Data Centre World 2024, at ExCel London. Hosted by Schneider Electric's Digital Services Business Director, Nathan Ghundoo, with a panel of industry guests including Matthieu Lecapitaine, Partner Manager at AVEVA (a Schneider Electric company); Andy McKenzie, Commercial Consultancy Leader at Schneider Electric consultancy for the UK&I; and Paul Almond, Director of Data Centre UK. Hear the panel share interesting and stimulating insights into the data centre industry, and how they are adapting to decarbonise and become more optimised in their operations.

In the final episode of Season 3, Mark welcomes David Watkins, Solutions Director at VIRTUS Data Centres, to discuss David’s career, how to attract new talent to the sector, and what the future holds for the industry.   David shares his thoughts on the impact the increased demand for AI is having on data centres, and how those data centres could benefit local communities through shared infrastructure, such as local heat networks. The pair discuss the importance of collaboration between digital infrastructure businesses and government, and how any legislation coming in needs to be a collective, informed decision.    David also tells Mark about VIRTUS’s mentality when it comes to retaining staff, as well as how best to highlight the benefits of working in the sector to the next generation of workers.

For the latest instalment of the DDI Podcast, Mark welcomes Abhishek Dhingra, Global Director of Strategic Partnerships, Shell Energy Renewables and Industry Decarbonisation. The pair discuss Abhishek’s 15-year career with Shell Energy, the need for digital transformation and energy transition to solve some of the world’s energy challenges, and how collaboration is allowing renewable energy sources and data centres to be built much quicker.   Abhishek shares how Shell Energy are helping tech companies across numerous industries decarbonise their operations and supply chain, as well as producing liquid cooling solutions to keep up with the heat produced by GPUs.   Mark and Abhishek take a look to the next generation, with Abhishek offering his advice to those wanting to pursue a career in the digital infrastructure sector, as well as contemplating what the future of the industry itself may look like.

In this episode of the DDI Podcast, Mark welcomes Dame Dawn Childs, CEO of Pure Data Centres group. The pair discuss Dawn’s journey to date, how collaboration is key, and the “wicked problem” the industry is currently facing.   Dawn shares her thoughts on the current skills shortage, emphasising the importance of explaining the industry better to the public, and how you don’t need specialist training to work within the sector.

In the latest episode of the DDI Podcast, Mark is joined by Osama Bakhet, Vice President of Global Utilities at Yondr Group – a global provider of hyperscale data centres – to discuss the future of the digital infrastructure industry, and best practices to encourage future talent to choose the sector for a career. Mark and Osama speak about the power of the ecosystem and collaboration within the industry, and how it can lead to growth and a happier consumer. Osama shares his thoughts on how early education, and an understanding of what the next generation already knows about the industry, can inspire innovation.