AI Is Reshaping Data Centres: Balancing Growth and Sustainability

As artificial intelligence continues to drive exponential data growth, the architecture and sustainability of data centres are undergoing a profound transformation. According to Futoshi Niizuma, Vice President for Asia Pacific and Japan at Seagate Technology, the rise of AI is not just increasing storage demand, It is redefining the entire data infrastructure ecosystem, from capacity planning to carbon management. 

AI workloads are expected to consume 945 terawatt-hours of electricity by 2030, surpassing Japan’s total energy use. This surge in demand is forcing data centre operators, especially across Asia-Pacific markets like Singapore, Japan, and South Korea. With the aim of balancing capacity expansion with sustainability imperatives amid tight energy caps and land constraints. Nearly 97% of data centre professionals anticipate a fundamental shift in storage design driven by AI. As efficiency, density, and cooling technologies become critical priorities. 

Key insights from Seagate’s Decarbonising Data report: 

• Top barriers to sustainable operations include energy consumption (53.5%), raw material requirements, and limited physical space. 

• 61% of companies now source renewable energy, while 58% are investing in renewable infrastructure. 

• AI-driven optimisation tools and cloud migration (47%) are helping organisations improve operational efficiency and reduce emissions. 

Niizuma emphasises that Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and sustainability are now deeply intertwined. High energy consumption and short equipment lifespans increase both costs and environmental impact. The solution lies in high-density storage innovations such as Heat-Assisted Magnetic Recording (HAMR), liquid cooling, and AI-powered energy management — enabling organisations to support AI at scale without expanding their footprint. 

Ultimately, sustainable data centres must embed circularity, efficiency, and longevity into every stage of infrastructure design. As Niizuma notes, “Sustainability is no longer a side initiative — it’s a core driver of long-term competitiveness and resilience in the AI era.” 

 

Source: 

https://www.itnews.asia/news/how-is-ai-changing-storage-and-data-centres-621320