How thirsty is AI? Demystifying data centre water risk and exploring design solutions
2pm – 3pm22 August 2024
Online
Artificial intelligence (AI) is not only transforming society on a broad scale but also fundamentally changing the infrastructure that underpins it, including data centres. As these facilities evolve, there is a pressing need to reconsider their design strategies, placing a strong emphasis on sustainable resource management. With growing concerns about the impact of AI on water usage in the US, data centres in the UK must carefully evaluate whether these concerns apply to them or whether they are overstated.
Join us on 22 August for a detailed exploration of how UK data centres are addressing these challenges, particularly in their facility design, and ensuring their water consumption stays minimal in the AI era.
What to expect from the webinar?
Topics discussed will include:
Is AI increasing water consumption in data centres? How does the situation in the UK compare to the US?
How are design requirements for data centres changing with the increasing demand for AI? Are liquid-based cooling systems becoming more popular? How do they work?
How can innovative design solutions and technology be leveraged to optimise water usage and increase efficiency?
What strategies can data centre operators and their clients employ to manage water risk in the era of AI?
Who should attend?
We encourage data centre operators, clients of data centres, companies deploying AI solutions, as well as sustainability professionals to join our webinar.
Speakers:
Paul Finch
Chief Technical Officer & Chief Operating Officer, Kao Data
Weronika joined techUK as a Programme Manager for Sustainability in October 2023.
Her role involves advocating for the tech sector in front of key policymakers and stakeholders. Weronika also leads the environmental and sustainability efforts within the Data Centres Group.
Prior to joining techUK, Weronika worked in public affairs and government relations in the legal sector, focusing on innovation and ESG within financial services. She also spent 2 years working as a Caseworker at Parliament. She holds a BA in Politics & International Relations from Queen Mary University of London.
Outside of work, Weronika can be found on a tennis court, at the gym, practicing yoga, or indulging in her love for Taylor Swift's music as a dedicated Swiftie.
Programme Assistant, Data Centres, Climate, Environment and Sustainability, Market Access, techUK
Lucas Banach
Programme Assistant, Data Centres, Climate, Environment and Sustainability, Market Access, techUK
Lucas Banach is Programme Assistant at techUK, he works on a range of programmes including Data Centres; Climate, Environment & Sustainability; Market Access and Smart Infrastructure and Systems.
Before that Lucas who joined in 2008, held various roles in our organisation, which included his role as Office Executive, Groups and Concept Viability Administrator, and most recently he worked as Programme Executive for Public Sector. He has a postgraduate degree in International Relations from the Andrzej Frycz-Modrzewski Cracow University.
Visit our Climate Action Hub to learn more or to register for regular updates.
By 2030, digital technology can cut global emissions by 15%. Cloud computing, 5G, AI and IoT have the potential to support dramatic reductions in carbon emissions in sectors such as transport, agriculture, and manufacturing. techUK is working to foster the right policy framework and leadership so we can all play our part. For more information on how techUK can support you, please visit our Climate Action Hub and click ‘contact us’.
The Local Public Services team at techUK was delighted to host this Local Government Innovation Roundtable where we looked at how we can use data in a more effective manner to be able to improve Net Zero decision-making within Local Government.
The Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) introduces a reporting obligation for data centre operators in the EU. The reporting scheme may be the first step towards the introduction of further measures to improve the sustainable development of the data centre industry, such as minimum performance standards or a labelling scheme.
Sign-up to get the latest updates and opportunities from our Climate, Environment and Sustainability programme.
Contact the team
Weronika Dorociak
Programme Manager, Sustainability , techUK
Weronika Dorociak
Programme Manager, Sustainability , techUK
Weronika joined techUK as a Programme Manager for Sustainability in October 2023.
Her role involves advocating for the tech sector in front of key policymakers and stakeholders. Weronika also leads the environmental and sustainability efforts within the Data Centres Group.
Prior to joining techUK, Weronika worked in public affairs and government relations in the legal sector, focusing on innovation and ESG within financial services. She also spent 2 years working as a Caseworker at Parliament. She holds a BA in Politics & International Relations from Queen Mary University of London.
Outside of work, Weronika can be found on a tennis court, at the gym, practicing yoga, or indulging in her love for Taylor Swift's music as a dedicated Swiftie.
Associate Director for Climate, Environment and Sustainability, techUK
Craig Melson
Associate Director for Climate, Environment and Sustainability, techUK
Craig is Associate Director for Climate, Environment and Sustainability and leads on our work in these areas ranging from climate change, ESG disclosures and due diligence, through to circular economy, business and human rights, conflict minerals and post-Brexit regulation.
Prior to joining techUK he worked in public affairs and policy has an avid interest in new and emerging technologies. Craig has a degree in Ancient History from King’s College London and spends his time watching Watford FC and holding out hope for Half Life 3.
Programme Assistant, Data Centres, Climate, Environment and Sustainability, Market Access, techUK
Lucas Banach
Programme Assistant, Data Centres, Climate, Environment and Sustainability, Market Access, techUK
Lucas Banach is Programme Assistant at techUK, he works on a range of programmes including Data Centres; Climate, Environment & Sustainability; Market Access and Smart Infrastructure and Systems.
Before that Lucas who joined in 2008, held various roles in our organisation, which included his role as Office Executive, Groups and Concept Viability Administrator, and most recently he worked as Programme Executive for Public Sector. He has a postgraduate degree in International Relations from the Andrzej Frycz-Modrzewski Cracow University.