Episode 136 of the Data Center Go-to-Market Podcast features an interview with Steve Carlini, VP of Innovation and Data Center at Schneider Electric.
- Discover the evolution of data center technology from computer rooms to high-density AI infrastructure
- Explore career paths in technical marketing and innovation within the data center ecosystem
- Uncover the critical role of power and cooling systems in modern hyperscale data centers
- Examine the transformative impact of Nvidia and AI on computing infrastructure
- Navigate the challenges of talent acquisition in the rapidly changing tech landscape
- Decode the future of data center design with pre-fabricated and modular solutions
- Investigate the intersection of utilities, technology companies, and data center development
- Master strategies for building professional brand and thought leadership in tech industries
- Analyze the potential risks and opportunities of AI-generated content
- Understand the global competition driving AI and data center innovation
Host:
Joshua Feinberg
DCSMI
Special Guest:
Steve Carlini, VP of Innovation and Data Center
Chief Evangelist for AI and High Performance Computing
Schneider Electric
Steve Carlini, VP of Innovation and Chief Advocate for AI at Schneider Electric, discusses the evolving landscape of data centers, emphasizing the importance of power and cooling systems.
He highlights the shift from 132 kW per rack to rumored 240 kW and future potential of 1 MW racks. Carlini notes the increasing interest in AI and data centers, driven by companies like Nvidia, and the need for pre-fabricated modules for efficient deployment.
He advises early career professionals to build their equity outside the company and mentions the importance of original content in the AI era. Carlini also discusses the challenges and opportunities in the data center industry, including talent acquisition and the role of AI in various sectors.
Action Items
- Publish articles and interviews to establish thought leadership in the industry.
- Evaluate the use of AI tools like ChatGPT for content creation, while being cautious about over-reliance on AI-generated content.
- Explore opportunities to partner with hyperscalers and other technology companies to develop reference designs and pre-fabricated solutions for high-density data centers.
Outline
Steve Carlini's Career Journey and Role at Schneider Electric
- Steve Carlini discusses the importance of power and cooling systems for data centers, emphasizing the co-dependence on these systems for design and deployment.
- Joshua Feinberg introduces Steve Carlini, highlighting his role as VP of Innovation and Chief Advocate for AI at Schneider Electric.
- Steve shares his career path, starting with an interest in technical fields influenced by his father's work at IBM.
- Steve's early career began at Toshiba in Texas, where he worked in the UPS division, witnessing the evolution of UPS systems and the emergence of laptops and batteries in computers.
Transition to APC and Schneider Electric
- Steve describes his transition from Toshiba to APC, where he was involved in acquisitions and expanding into the data center space.
- Joshua recalls his experience working with APC through distributors like Ingram Micro and Tech Data.
- Steve explains the 2015 acquisition of APC by Schneider Electric for $6 billion, highlighting the integration process and elimination of redundancies.
- Steve discusses the importance of having a background in technology and understanding emerging technologies like AI and data analysis.
Advice for Early Career Professionals
- Steve advises early career professionals to have a background in technology and to be open to less exciting but stable roles.
- He emphasizes the importance of understanding the trajectory of technology and being adaptable to changes in the industry.
- Steve shares his experience of being hired by APC after Toshiba, highlighting the importance of networking and knowing people in the industry.
- Joshua and Steve discuss the constant reinvention required in the tech industry and the importance of staying updated with new technologies.
Impact of AI and Nvidia on Data Centers
- Steve discusses the impact of AI and Nvidia on the data center industry, noting the rapid evolution of power requirements and data center designs.
- Joshua mentions Nvidia's role in the gaming industry and its transition to servers, highlighting the differences between GPUs and CPUs.
- Steve explains the increasing power requirements of data centers and the shift towards more efficient and high-density designs.
- Joshua compares the current data center landscape to historical developments, such as the evolution of x86 servers and the rise of hyperscale facilities.
Challenges and Opportunities in the Data Center Industry
- Steve discusses the challenges of designing and deploying high-density data centers, emphasizing the importance of reference designs and collaboration with companies like Nvidia.
- Joshua highlights the role of modular data centers and pre-fabricated modules in simplifying the design and deployment process.
- Steve shares insights on the increasing interest in data centers in Europe and Asia, as well as the involvement of industries like oil and gas in building data centers.
- Joshua and Steve discuss the future of data center design, predicting a shift towards more pre-fabricated and modular solutions.
Steve Carlini's Role and Future of Data Centers
- Steve describes his role at Schneider Electric, focusing on innovation, AI, and high-performance computing.
- He discusses the increasing interest from investors and the media in the data center industry, highlighting the importance of communication and understanding complex technical concepts.
- Steve shares his thoughts on the future of data centers, predicting continued growth and the need for more AI data centers to support autonomous agents and applications.
- Joshua and Steve discuss the challenges of talent acquisition and the competition for AI expertise, noting the importance of the AI race between countries and companies.
Impact of AI on Content Creation and Originality
- Steve expresses concerns about the impact of AI on content creation, noting the duplication of content and the lack of originality.
- He shares an example of interns using AI to complete assignments, leading to a lack of unique content.
- Joshua and Steve discuss the potential risks of AI-generated content, including the spread of misinformation and the need for oversight.
- Steve emphasizes the importance of maintaining high standards for content creation and ensuring the integrity of information.
Steve Carlini's Thoughts on AI and Data Centers
- Steve discusses the potential of AI to revolutionize various industries, including financial services and marketing.
- He highlights the importance of building AI data centers to support the growing demand for compute capacity.
- Steve shares insights on the challenges of talent acquisition and the competition for AI expertise, noting the importance of the AI race between countries and companies.
- Joshua and Steve discuss the future of AI and data centers, predicting continued growth and the need for more AI data centers to support autonomous agents and applications.
Steve Carlini's Advice for Mid-Career Professionals
- Steve advises mid-career professionals to build their equity outside of their current company by publishing articles, giving interviews, and becoming known in the industry.
- He emphasizes the importance of networking and understanding the trajectory of the company and the industry.
- Steve shares his experience of mentoring people and encouraging them to take on new roles and responsibilities within their companies.
- Joshua and Steve discuss the importance of staying updated with new technologies and being adaptable to changes in the industry.
Steve Carlini's Final Thoughts
- Steve shares his final thoughts on the future of data centers and the importance of collaboration between data center operators and utilities.
- He emphasizes the need for pre-fabricated modules and solutions to simplify the design and deployment process.
- Joshua asks Steve about his favorite resources for learning more about Schneider Electric's work in data centers and AI.
- Steve recommends visiting the Schneider Electric website and its satellite websites for more information on innovation and high-performance computing.
Guest Resources
Resources
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