Malaysia should insist on providing AI-powered data centre facilities
In the last five years, the data centre sector in Southeast Asia has experienced tremendous growth. Naturally, it has been fuelled by the rapid advancement and adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, 5G mobile technologies, the Internet of Things (IoT), increasing digital transformation, booming e-commerce, and the pursuit of digital sovereignty.
As a result, Malaysia has quickly emerged as a data centre powerhouse. Malaysia has long benefited from its advantageous geographical location, plentiful natural resources, and skilled workforce.
However, Malaysia’s determination to embrace opportunities in the rapidly changing digital space, along with considerable government assistance, has propelled it to the status of a regional powerhouse. The country’s strategic location in the region, proximity to Singapore, and other favourable conditions such as cheaper electricity costs, the availability of low-cost land parcels, and strong infrastructure have made it an appealing destination for data centre investments.
According to research, the data centre business in Malaysia rebounded in the aftermath of the pandemic. Today, data centres serve as the foundation of the digital world.
They are facilities that house all the equipment and internet connections required to store, process, and distribute the massive amounts of information and data generated every second of the day. They serve as the digital economy’s warehouses, housing not just data, but also the platforms and applications that have become so common in today’s world.
Data centres are among the most power-intensive building types, using up to 50 times the electricity of a conventional commercial office building. Previously, data centre server racks were designed with 5 to 10KW capacity; however, the industry is currently seeing a trend towards 35 to 100KW per rack, and entire data centre campuses are being developed.
These infrastructural upgrades are resulting in a significant rise in electricity use, more integrated water use for cooling systems, and a demand for specialised equipment. Artificial intelligence (AI) is the most effective technological method for controlling data centre power and water utilisation.
The Malaysian government should insist on providing AI-powered data centre facilities to its customers as a move towards long-term technological progress. Though the adoption of AI will raise power and water consumption, this technology will aid in the automated management of these resources, reducing wastage and boosting their effectiveness.
AI-powered data centres are technological wonders, capable of self-management and self-healing. They are more than just information stores; they are intelligent systems that can make decisions in real-time.
Advanced AI systems now regulate everything from security protocols to energy consumption, making data centres more sustainable and efficient than ever before. The centres indicate even more integration, with AI driving strategic business decisions rather than just operations, employing real-time data analytics to deliver insights that can spark new pathways of business growth and innovation.
Along with operational efficiency and predictive maintenance benefits, AI provides energy efficiency for data centre configurations. AI significantly reduces the environmental impact of data centres by implementing intelligent cooling systems and optimising energy use, contributing to global sustainability initiatives.
By incorporating AI, data centres may overcome previous constraints, clearing the way for breakthroughs that will define the next phase of digital transformation.
The path to AI-powered data centres is not without its hurdles, but the potential benefits for enterprises, society, and the environment make it a worthwhile endeavour. AI enables water managers to use data to monitor quality, track usage, and detect potential infrastructure issues in water systems. Ideally, managers may use the knowledge they gather to detect and correct problems before they become crises.
Given Malaysia’s tremendous expansion in data centres, it is clear that the water footprint of the equipment that supports them will only increase. From data centres to AI and cloud computing, the IT industry’s demand for water demands an immediate response. However, innovative ideas, effective legislative interventions, and coordinated efforts can lead the path to a more sustainable future.
While the journey to water-smart technology is not without hurdles, the potential benefits are enormous. As Malaysia continues to innovate and construct a digital future, it must realise that every data point, algorithm, and cloud server has a real-world consequence.
By tackling technology’s water impact, Malaysia can ensure that its digital future is both smart and sustainable.
The views expressed here are the personal opinion of the writer and do not necessarily represent that of Twentytwo13.
