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UbS Predicts Rapid Growth for Data Center Sector


30 June, 2024

Title: Data Center Boom: UBS Forecasts Substantial Industry Expansion Amid AI Advancements

The relentless march of digital innovation continues to spur unprecedented demand for data processing and storage, serving as a runway for the data center sector to soar. Global financial services firm UBS signals an accelerating trajectory for this industry, expecting robust expansion that will play a key role in underpinning the burgeoning realms of artificial intelligence and cloud computing.

A Glimpse into the Future Growth

With an analytical lens on future trends, UBS shows a confident stance in the data center sector’s prospects, forecasting an uptick in growth from 15% to 20% for the years 2024 and 2025. The momentum doesn’t seem to halt there; the years to follow are predicted to witness sustained, “healthy” double-digit growth rates. The burgeoning demand for AI applications, from AI images generator to AI text generator, propels a significant part of this growth trajectory.

Drivers of Data Center Demand

Hyperscalers, the juggernauts of cloud services, stand at the forefront of this surge, expanding their cloud capabilities to cater to sophisticated artificial intelligence applications. Developing and deploying artificial intelligence generated images, videos, and other advanced AI tools necessitate a hefty amount of computational power – a requirement that is turning data centers into nerve centers of the AI revolution.

The growth is not only in the quantity of data centers; the evolution of technology within them is also noteworthy. Data centers are increasingly becoming the bedrock for AI development, as large language models and complex computations require expansive and potent data-handling capabilities. These technological wavefronts necessitate the augmentation and sophistication of data center infrastructure, spotlighting the significance of these facilities in the digital ecosystem.

Power and Electrification as Growth Catalysts

With an upward spiral in power usage, the spotlight shines on the need for large-scale electrification and secure power equipment within these infrastructures. “This space faces a fast growth outlook near-term that is supply- rather than demand-constrained and has potential for structural growth,” noted UBS analysts in a report. They touch on the multifaceted impetus for this growth, ranging from the surge in data creation courtesy of Internet of Things (IoT) to the intricacies of machine learning and generative AI.

The undercurrents of data sovereignty also play a substantial role. With increasing awareness and legislation surrounding data privacy and protection, regional data centers see inflating relevance, amplifying the construction and expansion of localized facilities.

Adapting to the Landscape

Amid these shifts, companies that provide the requisite technology to these power-heavy, intricate setups stand to benefit. UBS identifies a triad of corporations positioned to capitalize on these trends: power management firms like Eaton, whose business is intricately tied to the electrification wave sweeping through data centers; energy technology players like Schneider Electric, with their intricate involvement in aspects ranging from building management to cooling; and power tech companies like Cummins, which have tapped into the critical space of backup power solutions.

Financial forecasts from UBS provide a beacon for potential growth – Eaton with an anticipated price target of $330, Cummins with a target of $321 indicating a 9.7% potential upside, and Schneider Electric marked at 250 euros ($270), suggesting a lucrative 20% potential upside.

Into the Digital Horizon

For readers who keep their pulse on the latest AI news & AI tools, this report is more than a mere financial forecast. It encapsulates the underpinnings of a digital infrastructure that will fuel advancements ranging from AI video generators to next-generation cloud services. It also underscores a strategic opportunity – not just for investors but for businesses and technologists looking to ride the wave of digital transformation that is underpinned by robust, reliable, and responsive data center services.

This promising outlook sets the stage for innovators, investors, and technology professionals to align with the transformative currents propelling the data center sector forward. As artificial intelligence continues to reshape every facet of our digital lives, the mounting capabilities and capacity of data centers will become ever more critical. In this digital renaissance, the symbiosis of artificial intelligence and data infrastructure will unlock a new echelon of possibilities across industries and applications, from the most intricate machine learning ambitions to the simplest cloud storage needs.