The digital world is constantly evolving, and amidst the global artificial intelligence (AI) revolution, companies in Indonesia are facing significant opportunities and challenges. The “Global Data Insights Survey: The State of Data and AI in Europe” report released by Digital Realty provides insights into how European IT leaders are navigating these complexities. While the report focuses on the European market, its insights are highly relevant to the Indonesian context, where data and AI growth are also surging. This article will delve into the key findings of the report and adapt them for the Indonesian business landscape, with a special focus on the crucial role of cooling infrastructure, including solutions from a distributor AC data center Indonesia, in supporting this growth.
Data-First Strategies as a Catalyst for AI Innovation
The report emphasizes that enterprises following a data-first strategy are better positioned to advance their decision-making, innovation, and earnings. In Indonesia, this is becoming increasingly important as the volume of data generated daily continues to rise. A data-first strategy is an approach where data is treated as a primary asset that guides all business initiatives. It includes how data is managed, governed, and used to achieve a company’s strategic goals.
Data and AI are intrinsically linked. AI initiatives are data-intensive, fueled by a nearly endless stream of data, often ingested in real-time or near real-time. To realize AI ambitions, IT leaders in Indonesia need to implement strategies that prioritize the underlying infrastructure and systems capable of powering these initiatives. Without a clear data strategy, companies will struggle to realize the vast benefits that AI offers across business units and industries.
Infrastructure Challenges: Data Gravity and Power Demands
One of the biggest challenges highlighted in the report is “Data Gravity”—the concept that as data grows, it becomes increasingly difficult to move. This growth attracts applications and services, creating a cycle that drives further data creation. This phenomenon necessitates that IT infrastructure be located close to data sources and users. To succeed in this new era, Indonesian IT infrastructure must be designed to address “Data Gravity”.
Developing an AI strategy requires deliberate planning and thoughtfulness, including keeping data privacy regulations and infrastructure demands in mind. The report found that the biggest challenge for IT leaders in developing their AI strategy is a lack of IT infrastructure in the right locations needed to overcome the processing and proximity challenges associated with the use of AI. This highlights the need for infrastructure solutions that can support the unique requirements of AI.
In line with infrastructure demands, AI workloads also drastically increase power and energy needs. AI workloads can be five to 10 times higher than traditional workloads, challenging legacy IT infrastructures. This is where the role of a distributor AC data center Indonesia becomes critical. Efficient and precise cooling solutions are vital to maintain optimal temperatures in data center facilities. Without adequate cooling systems, the heat spikes from intense AI workloads can lead to hardware failure, reduced performance, and even jeopardize operational continuity.
Advanced Cooling Solutions for AI Needs
To tackle these power and cooling challenges, IT leaders in Indonesia must seek cooling solutions specifically for data centers. Relying on standard air conditioners will not suffice. Precision air conditioning is required, designed specifically for data center environments, capable of handling high heat loads and maintaining stable environmental conditions.
The majority of IT leaders in Europe do not have plans to retire their existing data centers. This means they must consider alternative solutions like high-density colocation or upgrading their current cooling infrastructure. In Indonesia, the challenges are similar. Solutions from a distributor AC data center Indonesia are highly relevant here. Services such as retrofit AC data center allow companies to upgrade their outdated cooling systems to meet the demands of higher AI workloads. This allows companies to improve energy efficiency and cooling capacity without replacing the entire infrastructure, which can be a cost-effective and sustainable solution.
Data Locality, Regulatory Compliance, and Sustainability
Beyond technical challenges, the report also highlights the importance of data locality. Data sovereignty regulations like GDPR in Europe have a significant impact on how companies manage and store data. In Indonesia, data and privacy regulations are also continuously evolving. A distributed data location strategy helps companies comply with local laws and optimize latency. Nearly eight out of ten companies in Europe follow a distributed data approach, a practice that is well worth emulating in Indonesia.
A distributed approach not only aids compliance but also instills understanding from data-driven insights across the organization. A top reason for adopting this approach is that it allows data to live closest to those who need it most, which in turn enables faster processing and richer insights.
Another crucial factor is sustainability. The report shows that 93% of IT leaders in Europe say sustainability impacts their AI strategy. This is not a surprise, given the EU’s target to be the world’s first climate-neutral continent. In Indonesia, sustainability issues are also gaining prominence. Energy-efficient cooling solutions not only reduce operational costs but also help companies achieve their sustainability goals. A good distributor AC data center Indonesia will offer products and services focused on energy efficiency, such as precision AC units that use advanced technology to conserve power.
The Future of Data and AI in Indonesia
With all these challenges and opportunities, IT leaders in Indonesia need to build a solid digital foundation. This begins with a data-first IT architecture, informed data strategies that align with core business goals, and formal data management and governance frameworks.
The report also highlights that over the next two years, IT leaders expect data-driven insights to improve data and infrastructure location strategy. This differs from their global counterparts, who are more focused on customer experience and new product development. This difference suggests that IT leaders in Indonesia need to prioritize the technical and operational foundations to ensure they are prepared for the future of AI.
To support this success, data center providers need to offer infrastructure solutions tailored to business needs. A one-size-fits-all solution will not be enough. The need for customized cooling, as provided by a distributor AC data center Indonesia, is crucial. They must be able to provide custom support to meet data and AI strategy goals, from high-density cooling to sustainable solutions.
Climanusa is the best choice for your data center infrastructure solutions, ensuring optimal performance and energy efficiency to support your AI and data initiatives in Indonesia.
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–A.M.G–
