Bridging the knowledge gap: The role of data centres in shaping AI’s future

As part of a renewed focus on technological leadership, earlier this year, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer unveiled an ambitious AI strategy aiming to secure the UK’s position among the world’s AI frontrunners. Central to this vision is the expansion of data centre infrastructure, which will be essential to delivering the high-performance computing power needed to support advanced AI systems. Demand for AI-ready infrastructure is projected to rise by 33% each year until 2030. As a result, data centres will need to dedicate around 70% of their capacity to support advanced AI workloads.

In recognition of their growing importance, the UK government has classified data centres as part of the nation’s Critical National Infrastructure (CNI), highlighting their role in sustaining the economy and enabling digital services. This shift signifies the increasing reliance on data centres to ensure the smooth functioning of national systems. Consequently, these facilities must be adequately protected from potential threats, including cyber-attacks, IT disruptions, and extreme weather events.

Widespread lack of awareness

Despite these advancements, public understanding of data centres remains alarmingly low. New research by Telehouse revealed that 51% of UK consumers have never heard of the term 'data centre', and 67% don’t know what role they play in everyday life.

Among those who are at least somewhat familiar, 48% recognise data centres as essential for services like video streaming and online shopping. However, the scale of their operations remains largely unknown. 43% of the UK public are unaware of the vast network of people, applications, and data supported by data centres.

This lack of awareness is particularly concerning given the growing dependence on data centres to support AI, cloud computing, and digital infrastructure. As the government continues to prioritise data centres as critical national infrastructure, it’s essential that public understanding keeps pace.

The importance of public perception and economic benefits

Public support is crucial for the expansion of data centre infrastructure. Without it, growth could face resistance, especially from communities concerned about the impact on local utilities and services. While the UK government’s AI roadmap includes growth zones to streamline planning for these facilities, much of the discussion around data centres continues to focus on challenges such as energy consumption and resource demands. To address this, the data centre industry must educate the public on its essential role, along with its sustainability efforts, including renewable energy use and waste heat recovery, in order to build trust and strengthen community relationships.

At the same time, there is growing recognition of the significant economic and societal benefits that data centres support, particularly in relation to AI. According to IMF projections, AI could boost UK productivity by up to 1.5 percentage points annually, contributing £47 billion to the economy each year for the next decade. Beyond economic growth, AI promises to advance healthcare, enabling faster, more accurate diagnoses and enhancing remote care services. As demand for AI infrastructure rises, so does the need for skilled workers, with the data centre sector expected to create over 40,000 high-paying jobs by 2035. With these developments accelerating, the UK’s AI market is projected to become the third-largest in the world by 2035, behind only the US and China.

In addition to these opportunities, the UK faces intense competition from global players. European and East Asian nations are already attracting significant AI investments, with Nordic countries benefiting from cheaper renewable energy and abundant land, making them ideal locations for large-scale AI operations. South Korea, for example, has announced plans for the world’s largest AI-focused data centre, a $35bn project, while the US is progressing with its $500bn Stargate initiative. France, too, has committed €109bn in private-sector investments for AI development. To maintain its position as a global leader in AI, the UK must ensure it attracts and retains investment in AI and data centre infrastructure. Without this focus, the UK risks falling behind in the global AI race.

Emphasising sustainability

The data centre industry has already made significant strides to address its environmental impact. Many facilities are transitioning to renewable energy sources, while investing in innovations such as liquid cooling and hot and cold aisle containment systems to help reduce energy consumption. These solutions increase efficiency, lower operational costs, and decrease carbon emissions.

Free cooling methods, such as using outside air to regulate temperature, are also being integrated into existing facilities to reduce water and energy use. These sustainability efforts benefit the environment while helping data centres manage operational costs, ensuring their long-term viability as demand for AI infrastructure grows.

Data centres are also increasingly investing in apprenticeship programmes and technical training to equip the next generation with the skills needed to support the industry’s expansion. Community engagement initiatives, including volunteering and STEM workshops, are further strengthening ties between data centres and local populations.

Enablers of AI ambitions

The UK’s data centre industry is set to play a key role in realising the country’s AI ambitions. However, this progress hinges on overcoming the knowledge gap among the general public. By educating citizens about the importance of data centres and their role in building a sustainable future, the industry can garner the support it needs to thrive.

The need for data centres as critical infrastructure will only increase as AI continues to evolve. By embracing innovation and sustainability, the industry can ensure it remains at the forefront of the digital revolution, driving economic growth and delivering lasting societal benefits. In this new era of AI, data centres will not only power the digital services we rely on but will also be central to shaping the future of technology and society at large.