Intelligent Data Centres Issue 19 | Page 40

EXPERT OPINION The top infrastructure challenges that restrict AI’s potential Patrick Lastennet, Director of Marketing and Business at Interxion, A Digital Realty Company, examines the roadblocks facing the acceleration of AI innovation. He says it is important to develop a strong infrastructure strategy for AI deployments from the start. he hunger for Artificial Intelligence (AI) is growing. T Companies in every industry are exploring ways that AI can accelerate innovation and deliver a powerful competitive edge. However, designing AI infrastructure is complex and overwhelming and, as a result, 76% of businesses regard infrastructure as an obstacle to AI success. Still, that’s no excuse to slow down progress. With more companies actively pursuing or at least trialling AI, those who wait will only fall further behind. A recent survey of IT decisions-makers across eight European countries found that nearly two-thirds of enterprises (62%) are currently deploying or testing AI, while another 17% plan to use AI in 2020. Respondents cited a number of infrastructure roadblocks that limit the deployment of AI at scale, from a lack of resources – capital, people and physical infrastructure – to an unclear company strategy that doesn’t take AI into consideration. Since AI deployment is a slow build for many companies, a huge technological gap will form between those that reach the deployment stage and those yet to begin planning. Companies reluctant to invest in AI will miss the opportunity to gain a competitive advantage. That’s why it’s important to develop a strong infrastructure strategy for AI deployments from the start. Here’s what to consider. 40 Issue 19 www.intelligentdatacentres.com