EMEA IT Leaders Call for Rethinking Data Center Design

AI growth and sustainability demands push infrastructure reform

Nearly half of IT leaders across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) believe their current data centers are no longer adequate for emerging technological and environmental demands. According to Lenovo’s “Data Center of the Future” study, traditional infrastructure struggles to support energy efficiency and carbon-reduction goals. As artificial intelligence (AI) accelerates data usage, organizations face mounting pressure to modernize systems while maintaining compliance and sovereignty. The research highlights a growing disconnect between digital ambitions and the realities of legacy infrastructure.

Sustainability and Sovereignty in Focus

Lenovo’s findings reveal that 92% of IT decision-makers prioritize partners who reduce energy use and carbon footprint, yet only 46% say their current data centers meet sustainability targets. This gap reflects the strain placed on outdated cooling systems and energy-intensive operations. Meanwhile, 99% of respondents expect data sovereignty to remain a top concern, driven by regional regulations and the need for control over data location and processing. Low latency also emerged as a key requirement, cited by 94% of leaders, especially as real-time applications and edge computing expand.

The study underscores the urgency of aligning infrastructure with environmental and jurisdictional expectations. AI and automation are expected to have the greatest impact on IT strategy, yet 41% of organizations admit they are not ready to integrate AI efficiently. Simone Larsson, Head of Enterprise AI at Lenovo EMEA, emphasized that future data centers must scale for AI while delivering on sustainability and energy efficiency. Businesses are urged to act now, as infrastructure choices made today will shape long-term resilience and compliance.

Conceptual Designs for 2055

To explore future possibilities, Lenovo collaborated with engineering firm AKT II and architects Mamou-Mani to develop conceptual data center models. These designs aim to address energy demand, spatial limitations, and environmental impact through innovative approaches. The Floating Cloud concept envisions airborne data centers powered by solar energy and cooled via pressurized liquid loops, operating safely above commercial airspace. Another model, the Data Village, proposes modular centers near water sources, using waste heat to support local amenities and integrating seamlessly into urban landscapes.

A third concept, the Data Center Bunker, repurposes underground infrastructure such as tunnels and bunkers to minimize land use and enhance security. All designs rely on liquid cooling technology, which consumes less energy than traditional air systems and improves heat management. James Cheung of Mamou-Mani noted that these ideas combine practical engineering with community benefits, such as reusing existing spaces and returning energy to public services. While speculative, the concepts offer a roadmap for pilot projects that could be deployed with reduced risk.

Liquid Cooling as a Scalable Solution

Lenovo’s Neptune liquid cooling system plays a central role in its vision for future-ready infrastructure. Capable of removing up to 98% of system heat directly at the source, Neptune significantly lowers energy consumption and dependence on air-based cooling. As AI workloads grow, this technology provides a scalable and efficient platform for data centers seeking to balance performance with environmental responsibility. Larsson emphasized that sustainability must be built into infrastructure from the outset, not added as an afterthought.