NAIROBI, Kenya- AI is shaking up the telecommunications landscape, and Vertiv, a global leader in digital infrastructure solutions, is stepping up to the challenge.
In a recent address to Kenyan telco and data center providers, Jon Abbott, Vertiv’s Sales Director for Strategic Telecom Clients in EMEA, highlighted the pressing need for innovative solutions to meet the demands of AI-driven transformations.
With Kenya’s AI readiness ranking slipping, the collaboration between Vertiv and local providers could be crucial.
Abbott spoke to leaders in Nairobi, sharing insights on the operational and technological shifts expected to redefine the communications network by 2030.
He emphasized that the rapid adoption of AI is already transforming IT infrastructure, necessitating accelerated architectures to support AI workloads.
According to the 2023 Digital Quality of Life Index, Kenya ranks 76th globally but drops to 82nd in AI readiness, highlighting a critical area for improvement.
The evolution required to support these AI workloads involves behind-the-scenes changes in network operations.
Abbott pointed out that these changes might not be visible to consumers but are vital, including shifts in network ownership and rising service costs driven by increased energy consumption due to intelligent connectivity.
Abbott assured that traditional data centers will continue to grow but will be complemented by smaller “edge” data centers.
These edge centers, essential for handling data processing closer to the source, will need to maintain the same operational standards as their larger counterparts, including constant uptime, efficient cooling, and robust security.
Energy efficiency and sustainability are paramount as the industry works to meet global emissions reduction goals by 2030.
Abbott highlighted the considerable challenges posed by energy provision and the transition to sustainable practices.
Addressing these issues will involve overcoming hurdles like increased rack density, skill shortages, and the need for quick deployment of new infrastructure.
The explosion of data consumption and creation across all sectors, driven by AI, will saturate the facility landscape.
Abbott underscored that this presents a daunting challenge for network providers. However, having a partner like Vertiv, equipped with expertise in power and thermal management and integrated rack solutions, can ease this journey.
