How Data Centers Are Using AI to Run Cooler and Smarter
Data Center Knowledge, Thursday, August 27th, 2026
Operators are deploying AI for cooling, power and fault management, though full autonomy remains distant.
Digital Realty's AI/ML-driven OPDaaS platform helped the firm grow its portfolio 34% while limiting the rise in water use to 3% and saving 17,800 MWh in 2025.
AWS uses AI agents to correlate telemetry and find network root causes in seconds, DPR Construction applies AI to pre-construction sequencing and staffing, and Schneider Electric's DCIM tools cut customer quote processing from 62 steps to 14.
Analyst Roy Illsley of Omdia says AI is still used 'in discrete packages,' with hyperscalers leading and smaller operators lagging, and predicts IT/OT convergence ahead of full autonomy.