TECH & AI
“ At the same time, operators must account for more intense weather events and the growing complexity of AI infrastructure.”
Balancing these demands requires viewing AI not just as a resource drain, but as a critical tool for developing new strategies to minimise data centre footprints.
Compounding infrastructure and climate risks Operators can no longer afford to get bogged down in a debate over whether AI or climate change poses the greater challenge. AI is evolving rapidly, forcing organisations to quickly gain deeper operational insights to balance expansion with environmental responsibility.
“ On the AI side, the challenge is not only how much electricity is required, but also the concentration, speed and variability of that demand,” Gaurav continues.“ Compute requirements can grow much faster than power, cooling and grid infrastructure can be expanded.“ On the climate side, operators are preparing for higher cooling requirements, water stress, flooding, fire and severe storms, as well as the possibility that several systems come under pressure at the same time. A heatwave, for example, can increase cooling demand while also placing strain on the electricity grid and local water system. Climate disruption can affect not only the facility, but also its power supply, telecommunications, transport access and key suppliers.”
As environmental conditions evolve, resilience planning increasingly needs to incorporate forward-looking and location-specific information.
“Earlier warning of hazards such as extreme heat, wildfires or water stress can improve uptime and business continuity”
Gaurav Batra Associate Director, Thematic Insights, Clients & Industries EY
66 October 2026