Top Data Center Trends 2025: Global Overview
As data centers keep expanding – by 2025, they’re projected to store more than 200 zettabytes of data – their infrastructure, scope of utilization, and inevitably change. From growing concerns for their environmental impact to excitement over emerging innovations, there’s plenty going on in the world of data centers. Here’s our rundown of the most important data center trends you should know in order to stay in the loop.
Read this article to find out:
- How did data centers evolve?
- What are the top emerging trends in data centers for 2025?
- What are the long-lasting trends driving the growth of data centers?
- What’s the future of data centers for 2025 and beyond?
Evolution of Data Centers
With all their liquid cooling systems and hyper-converged infrastructure, modern data centers are a far cry from what they once were. Traditional data centers consisted of large, bulky mainframes housed in specialized rooms with limited processing power and high energy demands.
Their history dates back to the 1950s and 60s when mainframes like the CDC 6600 were at the forefront. These early machines had no network connectivity, were very expensive, and – often – pretty unreliable. Everything changed in the 1980s and 1990s with the rise of personal computing and the Internet, which caused data centers to expand due to a growing demand for online services.
The early 2000s saw the shift to cloud computing, with companies like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft building massive hyperscale data centers to deliver scalable cloud services. Today, data centers are moving toward decentralized architectures with edge computing designed to handle the explosion of data from IoT, AI, and 5G technologies. Sustainability and energy efficiency have also become central as operators prioritize reducing the environmental impact of these increasingly critical facilities.
Timeline:
- 1940s: The birth of early data centers – its prototype was ENIAC – the first general-purpose, programmable electronic digital computer created by the US Army and completed in 1945.
- 1980s: The term "data center" gained recognition as IT operations grew more complex. The rise of inexpensive networking equipment led to hierarchical designs, centralizing servers in dedicated rooms.
- 1997-2000: The dot-com boom fueled a surge in data centers, with large facilities or internet data centers (IDCs).
- 2010s: Steady global growth in data center infrastructure, with increased focus on cloud computing. Spending on data center infrastructure rose significantly, reaching $200 billion in 2021.
- Late 2010s - Early 2020s: AI and machine learning sparked a demand for more powerful data centers, with global data creation projected to hit 200 zettabytes by 2025. As of 2025, there are around 11,000 data centers worldwide.
- 2030: The data center market is projected to reach $418 billion, growing at a CAGR of 9.6% during the forecast period 2023-2030. Their power consumption is expected to exceed 9% of U.S. electricity.
Top 10 Data Center Trends in 2025
As technology progresses, so do data centers. Their ongoing evolution isn’t stopping any time soon – as we’re headed toward 2025, it’s becoming more and more clear which trends will dominate (and/or are already dominating) the data center landscape. Below, we’re rounding them up – both newbies and trends that have been propelling DC growth for a while now.
1. AI/ML
It’s virtually impossible to combine the list of 2025’s top data center trends without including AI.
The hottest word in IT is boldly making its way into the data center world, where it’s transforming architecture, edge computing, and task automation. In fact, research shows that AI & ML technology is projected to increase data center efficiency by as much as 30% in 2025. How? Here’s our breakdown of different ways AI is being used in data centers – and how data centers affect the development of AI as well.
AI for Data Centers
Some of the main ways AI is integrated into data centers include intelligent recourse management, predictive analytics for increased security and minimized downtime, streamlining routine workloads such as balancing, data backups or monitoring, and adjusting cooling systems to meet real-time demands.
What’s more, by driving the need for specialized, high-performance hardware like GPUs or TPUs, AI is changing the way DCs’ architecture is organized. According to the 2024 State of the Data Center report, 42% of GenAI workloads are in colocation, 34% in on-premises data centers, and 18% in the public cloud. With 1/3 held in data centers, it naturally prompts innovation in the DC infrastructure.
Data Centers for AI
While AI is definitely one of the key factors enabling the growth of modern data centers, data centers are also propelling the development of AI. By providing the infrastructure necessary for large-scale data processing and model training, DC facilities foster advancements in areas such as natural language processing, computer vision, or autonomous systems. Data centers power many AI innovations – from training massive models like ChatGPT to voice assistants. Also worth noting – cloud-based data centers offer opportunities for AI to develop in a scalable environment. For example, Google’s TensorFlow and AWS SageMaker provide tools and frameworks in the form of services, empowering startups and researchers to experiment with AI.
2. IoT & Smart Data Centers
Another trend that’s shaking up the data center industry is the proliferation of IoT devices, which drive the rise of smart data centers where edge computing is prioritized.
As per an IDC report, IoT devices are expected to generate 79.4 zettabytes of data by 2025, with data production growing at a compound annual rate of 28.7 percent throughout the forecast period from 2018 to 2025.
What role does IoT play in data centers?
As billions of IoT devices generate massive amounts of data, data centers must handle increased workloads efficiently and process data closer to the source to reduce latency. That’s why IoT challenges data centers to expand their networking capabilities while also presenting opportunities for automation, optimizing resource usage, and improving sustainability.
3. Virtual Reality
One thing we may see more of in 2025 is virtual reality being used to streamline construction processes and reduce costs in data centers.
This trend has already been started by companies such as Fortis Construction, which leveraged Resolve software and Meta Quest VR headsets to conduct immersive collaborative reviews in a complex data center project in Singapore. They ended up identifying over 1,000 potential issues, including accessibility, safety, and clearance concerns, ultimately saving $3 million in rework within three months.
Granted, the use of VR in data centers like this is still far from the industry norm – but similar projects prove its incredible potential that may be explored in years to come.
4. 5G technology
5G expansion is unstoppable, with 5G-driven global connection reaching almost 2 billion in Q1 of 2024.
How does this growth affect data centers?
Foremost, as it generates enormous amounts of data, the surge of 5G requires data centers to enhance their storage capabilities and upgrade infrastructure. What’s more, the low latency of 5G makes edge computing more viable, prompting data centers to deploy smaller, localized facilities closer to users for real-time data processing.
5G can greatly enhance connectivity and accelerate data transfers, but that can’t happen without embracing the new technology and adjusting data center design to tap into the full potential of synergy between DC and 5G.
Long-lasting trends
5. Hyperscale data centers
According to a report by Synergy Research Group, the number of active hyper-scale data center facilities around the world increased to 992 at the end of 2023. What’s the big craze around the hyper-scale data centers?
For starters, a hyperscale data center is a large facility designed to efficiently manage and scale massive workloads, typically housing at least 5,000 servers and covering 10,000 square feet of physical space. These facilities are optimized for high performance with minimal latency and streamlined network connectivity.
Why are hyperscale data centers important?
Their current expansion is vastly driven by the increasing demand for cloud services, big data analytics, and artificial intelligence, which prompts companies to look for more extensive data storage and processing capabilities. Their ability to offer scalability, operational efficiency, and cost-effectiveness makes them a critical component of the global tech ecosystem.
6. Sustainability
One data center trend that’s sure to stay here for long? Sustainability.
The amount of energy used by DC facilities is quite scary, and the prognosis isn’t very optimistic either.
In 2023, data centers comprised about 4% of the U.S. total electricity load – and, according to the Electric Power Research Institute, that number could rise to more than 9% by just 2030.
Why are data centers so energy-consuming? It’s mostly due to the extensive number of servers and networking equipment they house, which require constant power to operate efficiently, as well as the necessity for cooling systems essential to maintain optimal temperatures and prevent overheating.
To help combat this growing problem, DC providers all over the world are implementing new and greener initiatives to make their facilities more sustainable.
Some of the top ones include moving away from carbon offsets, adopting renewable energy sources, investing in recyclable materials, transitioning to free or liquid cooling, and using AI & ML to optimize energy management through predictive maintenance.
Some other sustainable practices that are now used in the world of data centers include moving away from carbon offsets, adopting renewable energy sources, investing in recyclable materials, and using AI & ML to optimize energy management through predictive maintenance.
7. Thermal management
One of the most up-and-coming methods that DC providers are implementing to combat the growing energy problem, is an approach called “thermal management”.
It’s a term combining techniques used to control the heat generated by electronic components like CPUs and GPUs, ensuring efficient operation and preventing overheating. This involves solutions such as heat sinks, liquid cooling, and advanced methods like immersion cooling or AI-driven systems to dissipate heat effectively.
One good example of is the COOLERCHIPS initiative, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy through ARPA-E, that aims to revolutionize data center cooling by developing innovative technologies that significantly enhance energy efficiency and thermal management.
8. Edge computing
According to Gartner, by 2025, an impressive 75% of enterprise-generated data will be created and processed at the edge – meaning computing that takes place close to the location where the data is created rather than being sent to a centralized data center for processing.
This trend suggests a shift toward decentralized data processing, which can lead to faster data analysis and improved performance for applications that rely on real-time data, especially those involving the Internet of Things (IoT) and other latency-sensitive applications.
By minimizing the distance that data must travel, edge computing enhances responsiveness and reduces delays, ensuring a smoother user experience. This trend can also help alleviate bandwidth constraints on centralized data centers, which makes it one that modern data centers shouldn’t sleep on in an increasingly connected world.
9. Cloud optimization
In 2025, the cloud is everything.
Global cloud data center market size was estimated at USD 26.66 billion in 2023 and is projected to report a 10% growth over the next decade.
What’s more, as per the 2023 PwC survey, 78% of UK business leaders claim they’ve adopted cloud in most areas of their companies.
But with the cloud growing ever so powerful, now comes the question of how to actually put it to the best use. Many businesses are reassessing their cloud strategies, recognizing that relying solely on public cloud solutions may not be sustainable in the long term. They recognize it’s time for cloud optimization.
This process can involve implementing automated tools that dynamically adjust resources in real time, tackling the financial challenges of going all in on the public cloud, and prioritizing security measures to protect sensitive data.
For many, this means adopting a multi-cloud or hybrid cloud approach, which lets you combine the strengths of multiple providers and integrate on-premises infrastructure with public and private clouds. These strategies allow them to regain control over their costs, tailor their computing resources to meet specific business needs and maximize return on cloud investments.
10. Zero-trust cybersecurity
According to Gartner, worldwide spending on security and risk management was projected to reach $215 billion in 2024, a 14.3% increase from 2023.
That’s why modern data centers are increasingly adopting the zero-trust cybersecurity approach. Following the principle of “never trust, always verify,” it focuses on controlling access to applications, data, and networks based on rigorous identity verification and contextual policies rather than traditional perimeter-based defenses. This method is essential for protecting data centers in an era dominated by generative AI, where vulnerabilities in AI systems can be exploited by cybercriminals for sophisticated attacks.
The Future of Data Centers
While the trends above are probably nowhere to go in the years to follow, data center providers may soon have their eyes on some new phenomena making their way into the DC world. Here are some that we predict can blow up in the future:
- Quantum computing
Quantum computing has the potential to revolutionize data processing capabilities by performing complex calculations at unprecedented speeds. This technology can enable data centers to solve problems previously deemed intractable and enhance capabilities in fields such as cryptography, optimization, and machine learning. - On-site power generation
The future of data center construction will increasingly incorporate on-site power generation using renewable energy sources, such as solar panels and wind turbines. By utilizing microgrids, data centers can reduce dependency on traditional power grids, enhance energy resilience, and lower their carbon footprint. - Advanced cooling technologies
Innovative cooling technologies, such as immersion cooling, are emerging as efficient solutions for managing the heat generated by densely packed servers. These methods can significantly reduce energy consumption while improving the cooling efficiency and longevity of the equipment. - AI for operations
As far as our data center knowledge goes, AI will definitely continue to play a critical role in data center operations by enabling predictive and proactive management. Increased use of AI for predictive maintenance can help anticipate failures before they occur, minimizing downtime and optimizing resource allocation. - Edge expansion
The expansion of edge data centers will be essential to support the growing demands of 5G and the Internet of Things (IoT). By processing data closer to the source, these edge facilities can reduce latency and enhance real-time data processing capabilities, which are crucial for applications like autonomous vehicles and smart cities.
How Can Comarch Help
In 2025, the evolution of data centers is marked by key technologies such as AI, ML, and IoT, with growing sustainability and safety concerns propelling new industry transformations. Data centers’ potential is as big as ever, and entrusting the right provider can be a game changer when it comes to your company’s performance, security, and scalability.
Want to see how it works? Learn more about Comarch’s data center power – and how it can benefit your business.
Key takeaways:
- The data centers are majorly expanding – by 2025, they’re projected to store more than 200 zettabytes of data.
- Some of the biggest technologies that influence data centers in 2025 include AI, ML, Virtual Reality, and 5G.
- One of the most pressing issues in the data center context is their environmental impact. To mitigate this, more and more companies are adopting the thermal management approach, with innovative cooling systems that are supposed to offset the heat used by data center facilities.
- In 2025, we can expect an increased interest in the zero-trust cybersecurity trend to protect data centers from more and more frequent cyberattacks.
