The year 2025 marked a pivotal shift for data centers, moving them from backend infrastructure to a central focus of the global economy, primarily driven by the explosive growth of artificial intelligence. Global investment in data centers surged to a record $61 billion, as the demand for massive computing power to train and operate AI models created a "global construction frenzy."
This boom has become a significant driver of business investment and economic growth, with spending on data centers and related technology accounting for a substantial portion of the increase in U.S. private demand. Hyperscale providers like Microsoft, Google, Amazon, and Meta are at the forefront of this expansion, committing tens of billions to build out AI-ready infrastructure. The rapid expansion, however, has also brought challenges, including immense strain on power grids and growing environmental concerns.