There’s no doubt that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is creating big changes in the IT world. The data centers of tomorrow will look very different from what we see today as Yotta 2024. According to Goldman Sachs, data centers could use up to 8% of all the power in the United States by 2030, a big jump from the less than 2% they use now. This means power demand for data centers could grow by 160% by the end of this decade.
At the same time, advancements in Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) technology are pushing data centers to their limits. Alan Howard, a data center analyst from Omdia, an IT research firm, says the amount of power needed for IT operations will increase by about 14% every year until 2030. By then, almost half of all data center capacity will be dedicated to AI operations.
Howard also predicts that the most rapid growth in power demand will happen between 2024 and 2026, with a total demand of 45 gigawatts (GW), if the necessary power can be sourced.
Yotta 2024: A Focus on Industry Trends
Yotta 2024 is designed to address these growing trends. The event will be held from October 7-9 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. It will bring together experts from across the digital infrastructure industry to discuss the future of data center design.
At the event, leaders will explore the major challenges facing AI, computing, and power in data centers, and discuss how these centers must adapt to meet future demands.
“We’ve gathered some of the smartest minds in the industry to share practical solutions that will shape the future,” said Rebecca Sausner, CEO of Yotta Events, in an interview with Data Center Knowledge.
Here are some of the key sessions at Yotta 2024:
- “From LLMs to Inferencing at the Edge” led by Sarah Keller from Uber
- “Novel Approaches to Cooling Extreme Density” with Brad Wilson from Vertiv
- “Preparing Digital Infrastructure for the Next Technology Tidal Wave”, which will discuss quantum computing and the future beyond AI
- “The Business and Tech Challenges of Deploying AI at Yottabyte Scale”, featuring Chris Sharp from Digital Realty, will dive into the complexities of scaling AI
- “How Do We Rethink Data Center Power Architecture for AI Workloads?”, part of the ‘Scaling Digital Infrastructure Sustainably’ track
Another important panel, “How is Generative AI Impacting Enterprise Infrastructure Strategy and Spending?”, will focus on how AI has changed data center spending and investment strategies. Wendy Schuchart, Editor-in-Chief of ITPro Today, commented, “Many businesses are already behind in adopting generative AI. I’m excited to hear how different industries are adapting.”
Sustainability at Yotta 2024
With AI pushing the limits of what data centers can do, sustainability has become a major focus. The power demands of AI, like ChatGPT and other generative AI technologies, are significant. The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) has estimated that every time someone asks ChatGPT a question, it consumes 0.0029 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity. When you consider the millions of users and billions of prompts, that power usage adds up quickly.
Training a large AI model can take up 10 gigawatt-hours of power and require around 700,000 liters of freshwater. Because of this, Yotta 2024 is placing an emphasis on environmentally friendly practices.
“As the industry grows with AI and machine learning, we need to make sure that growth is sustainable,” said Sausner. “Yotta 2024 is not just about new technology but also about making sure those innovations are scalable and environmentally responsible.”
The event will include a dedicated track called “Scaling Digital Infrastructure Sustainably”, which will focus on energy efficiency, renewable energy sources, and advanced cooling technologies. Thought leaders from companies like Schneider Electric and Shell Energy will share insights on integrating sustainable practices into the industry. Experts like Jennifer Huffstetler from Intel and Kim Greene from Georgia Power will also contribute.
Key Insights and Networking at Yotta 2024
Yotta 2024 will feature many expert-led sessions, with thematic pavilions highlighting areas like AI and cooling technologies. The Innovate Arena on the exhibit floor will showcase cutting-edge ideas in digital infrastructure across five categories:
- Rack-level technology
- Energy and critical power ecosystems
- Cooling innovations in high-demand environments
- AI-driven optimization and automation
- Edge and cloud hosting solutions
The event also provides plenty of networking opportunities through mixers, roundtables, happy hours, and more. For example, on day one, there will be sponsored workshops, lunches, and mixers. Day two will begin with breakfast roundtables on topics like sustainability, LGBTQ+ issues, and more. There will also be a lounge with coffee in the morning and drinks later in the day.
To wind down the day, there’s the Partner Palooza, where drinks and live music will set a lively tone. Attendees can also check out the Sphere Experience, Las Vegas’ newest immersive attraction.
On day three, Yotta 2024 will conclude with sunrise yoga, pool parties, and a closing party featuring live entertainment and drinks.
“Yotta 2024 is not just another conference,” said Sausner. “It’s the place where the digital infrastructure industry gathers to tackle the major issues that will define the next decade. We’ve brought together the brightest minds in AI, power, cooling, and more to shape the future of our industry.”
