Most data center facilities aren’t ready for artificial intelligence (AI) heavy workloads with the sector set for radical transformation. That’s according to new research from global data center consultancy BCS.
In a survey of over 3,000 data center professionals across 41 countries, 85 percent of respondents admitted that their facilities are not yet prepared for the demands of AI-heavy workloads, with just one in seven organizations using AI at scale.
To address this lack of readiness, many of those polled (79 percent) are increasing their infrastructure to facilitate AI readiness, while 63 percent believe AI could ease pressure on staffing and operations.
AI-heavy workloads transform data centers
“We’re entering a pivotal moment for the data center industry. As AI moves from buzzword to backbone, it’s reshaping not just what we build, but where, how and why we build it,” said James Hart, CEO at BCS. “The infrastructure that powered the last decade of digital growth isn’t enough for what comes next. From compute-heavy model training to real-time inference at the edge, new demands are emerging that call for fresh thinking, faster decisions and more flexible, sustainable solutions.”
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Data skills shortage continues to hamper growth
Almost all respondents (97 percent) say the supply of skilled professionals is falling as demand continues to rise. Design, build and operations roles are all under strain, with labor costs, project delays and burnout already impacting delivery. The sharpest alarm bells are coming from developers and engineering firms, many of whom now see the skills shortage as the single biggest risk to growth.
The talent gap is no longer a future threat, it’s a present risk. Teams are under growing pressure. Rising labor costs, missed deadlines and overstretched staff are already hitting project delivery. Developers and engineering firms are sounding the loudest warnings, with many viewing the skills shortage as the biggest brake on growth.
“This report reflects what we see on the ground every day: a market shifting fast, driven by AI, sustainability and changing demand models,” said Hart. "Demand is rising across the board, with no sign of slowing down.”
However, while AI is driving this surge, most organizations are still early in their adoption journey. Experimenting, not yet operating at scale.
“At the same time, the skills shortage is intensifying fast, particularly in design and engineering roles,” added Hart. “The challenge now is how to keep building at pace, when pressure is growing on every front. It’s our industry, and our responsibility, to lead this change and rethink how and where we build, to create facilities that are as intelligent and adaptive as the workloads they support.”
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