The surge in artificial intelligence demand is posing significant sustainability challenges, particularly in data centers. According to a Seagate study, 94.5% of respondents reported increased data storage needs due to AI, with 97% anticipating further growth. This escalating demand contributes to substantial environmental concerns.
Data centers are becoming increasingly energy-intensive, with 53.5% of respondents citing this as a major risk. The need for raw materials is also a significant concern, with 49.5% of respondents highlighting this issue. Furthermore, data centers face physical space constraints, affecting 45.5% of respondents.
In response to these challenges, Seagate suggests that hard disk drives (HDDs) could be a more sustainable option than solid-state drives (SSDs). Their Mozaic 3+ platform, which uses heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) technology, offers superior energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness. This platform can deliver up to three times more energy density while reducing embodied carbon by over 70% per terabyte and lowering cost per terabyte by 25%.
To mitigate sustainability issues, companies are exploring strategies such as implementing circular IT practices, prioritizing energy efficiency, and reducing e-waste in data center operations. By working with IT providers and third-party experts, businesses can simplify efforts toward circular IT practices and achieve sustainability goals.
By adopting sustainable practices and innovative technologies, businesses can reduce their environmental footprint while meeting the growing demands of AI.
