Rising AI Demand Calls for Flexible Data Centers

_{This article was adapted for the USG Blog, originally appearing on BISNOW.com and written by Julia Troy, Studio B Editor.}

The meteoric rise of artificial intelligence is not just changing how people do business—it is dramatically changing the demands placed on data centers. As a result of growing AI workflows, data centers are expected to reach 35 gigawatts of power consumption annually by 2030, up from 17 gigawatts in 2022.

This means mission-critical facility owners and manufacturers must come up with creative solutions to expand data centers to meet these needs.

“It is tough to understand all the complexities associated with the transition to AI from an infrastructure perspective,” said Steve Rodriguez, Director of Mission Critical at USG. “Instead of guessing what an ‘AI solution’ will be, we have taken a different approach; one created around flexibility in design and optionality versus a fixed solution.” 

USG’s approach to innovation is deliberate and meaningful, with a focus on staying close to customers and pursuing solutions that are tailored to their specific needs. This customer-centric approach has allowed USG to maintain its position as a trusted partner for construction professionals worldwide for more than a century.

Bisnow spoke with Rodriguez to learn more about USG’s approach to mission-critical projects and how the company handles the unique challenges these facilities present, from supply chain management to the growth of AI and beyond.

Bisnow: What inspired USG to get into the mission-critical industry?

Rodriguez: We have been selling to mission-critical facilities for years, but only the office environment. Realizing the growth trends in the mission-critical space, we wanted to offer more than just acoustical tile in the white space. Data halls have a unique ceiling: a structural plenum, used for more utilitarian purposes than aesthetics. Although aesthetics is a factor, a structural suspension system is used in the white space to not only create a plenum, but also to hang utilities like cable trays, busbar, and containment systems. 

These systems are highly technical, which is a strong value proposition for USG. We have over 120 years of innovation and technical expertise in the construction space — our expertise in building science is second to none in the industry. When USG publishes technical and performance data on a product, our customers can be assured that we have tested those products to rigorous standards, and they will perform accordingly.

Bisnow: Supply chain issues remain challenging for the data center industry. Tell me how USG’s network supports builders and contractors in data center construction. 

Rodriguez: As we continued to explore opportunities in the mission-critical space, we found multiple opportunities to align with our “easiest to do business with” strategy. We’re addressing supply chain issues in two ways: manufacturing footprint and reliability.

Our robust manufacturing network includes 48 manufacturing locations in North America—38 in the U.S. and five each in Canada and Mexico. We service this geography quickly, shipping thousands of trucks per day to customers all over North America.  

Secondly, we are not just selling construction products—we are selling reliability. Whether it’s the reliability of how our products perform, the availability of our products, or the technical support we provide, our customers know that they can trust USG. That doesn’t mean that things never go wrong, or we don’t face difficult situations related to unforeseen events, but it does mean that when those events arise, customers can be confident that USG has the capabilities to get projects back on track. 

Bisnow: As AI expands in the data center space, the supporting infrastructure is evolving. Can you talk about USG’s capabilities and how its data center offering supports AI demands?

Rodriguez: As I mentioned, our AI approach is focused on flexibility versus a fixed solution. We want to be a solutions provider versus just a manufacturer of construction materials. We have built flexibility into our offerings and continue to expand our portfolio to include new options for the unique challenges that arise with the transition to AI workloads. For example, the USG ALTA Structural Suspension System has built-in capability for expanded load-carrying capacity when needed. 

Bisnow: How is USG innovating for mission-critical space?

Rodriguez: USG has a long and impressive track record of success in the building materials, building science, and construction industries. With more than 120 years of experience, we have established ourselves as a leader in manufacturing high-quality building materials that are designed to drive efficiencies and innovation across the construction industry worldwide.

Specifically in the mission-critical space, we have focused on efficiency and speed. We know that many of these projects are either behind schedule or on an accelerated schedule. Our emphasis has been on shortening lead times, compressing installation time, and reducing jobsite waste to allow contractors to finish faster using USG systems.    

Bisnow: What can customers expect while partnering with USG?

Rodriguez: Our corporate tagline is “It’s Your World. Build It.” We have been fortunate to help build some of the most inspirational buildings and structures across the globe. Those projects were rooted in trust built with customers, starting with our values of safety, integrity, and innovation.

We inspire confidence among our customers through decades of scientific research and testing conducted at USG’s Customer Innovation Center. We act with future generations in mind to drive our sustainability goals of delivering a circular economy and transforming our footprint. Our ease of business strategy is built on a foundation of quality and service, helping customers win with speed, efficiency, and scale. In the end, we have been a leader in the construction space for more than a century and plan to support customers for the next century.  

This article was produced in collaboration between USG and Studio B. Bisnow news staff was not involved in the production of this content.

Studio B is Bisnow’s in-house content and design studio. To learn more about how Studio B can help your team, reach out to studio@bisnow.com.

Contact Julia Troy at julia.troy@bisnow.com