Navigating the AI Revolution

Building AI-ready infrastructure and the AI Internet Exchange (AI-IX)

With the proliferation of generative AI, businesses worldwide are experiencing an unprecedented surge in demand for AI integration. From streamlining operations to enhancing customer experiences, the potential benefits of AI are vast and varied. However, amidst this excitement, it’s crucial to recognize that the effectiveness of AI compute is intrinsically tied to the quality of connectivity infrastructure. While AI algorithms themselves may be exceedingly fast, if the network connectivity slows down access to data, the entire AI workflow suffers. It is therefore imperative for businesses to understand the pivotal role that robust connectivity plays in realizing the full potential of AI technology.

The staggering growth projections in AI server shipments, exemplified by companies like NVIDIA, underscore the pressing need for significant investment in AI infrastructure. As AI becomes increasingly integral to business operations, organizations must prepare to accommodate the escalating demand for computational resources. We estimate that by 2027, the demand for data center capacity in the US alone will surge by more than 50 percent compared to 2020 levels, primarily driven by the burgeoning AI ecosystem. To harness effectively the power of AI, companies must adopt a forward-thinking approach to infrastructure investment that encompasses not only hardware scalability, but also connectivity optimization.

Ivo Ivanov, CEO and Chair of the Board, DE-CIX
Ivo Ivanov, CEO and Chair of the Board, DE-CIX

Understanding the crucial role of connectivity

If we consider a cloud-based AI model as the heart of a company’s AI utilization strategy, the connectivity would be the arterial system, carrying the lifeblood of data and insights generated to and from the model. Connectivity serves as the conduit of AI integration, facilitating seamless access to data lakes, AI models, and real-time data sources. In today’s hyper-connected world, the ability to exchange information swiftly and securely across distributed systems is paramount for driving AI-driven insights and innovations. Whether it’s accessing cloud-based AI services or aggregating data from IoT devices, robust connectivity infrastructure forms the foundation upon which AI capabilities are built. Furthermore, in an era when data privacy and security are paramount, ensuring the integrity of data transmission pathways is essential for safeguarding sensitive information and maintaining regulatory compliance.

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