At an expert panel discussion organized by Aengevelt Immobilien at EXPO REAL, industry representatives discussed the opportunities and challenges of artificial intelligence in the real estate sector. A key message: Act now, don't hesitate – the key lies in taking action.
In his presentation, Ralf Siefen, CEO of the Data Center Group, emphasized the dual dynamic currently shaping the market: On the one hand, the demand for data centers is rising rapidly, as virtually every industry is digitizing its processes and AI applications require more powerful infrastructures. On the other hand, AI is also fundamentally changing the industry's own work.
“From AI-supported planning tools to digital twins, smart monitoring and predictive maintenance – intelligent systems accelerate processes, increase precision and create more energy efficiency,” Siefen explained.
As a developer and operator of data center properties, the Data Center Group sees its task as providing the urgently needed infrastructure for a data-driven economy – and using state-of-the-art technologies to implement projects faster, more sustainably and in a future-proof manner.
Mr. Siefen also pointed to one of the biggest current challenges: energy supply. Even medium-sized data centers now require several megawatts of power, while approval processes for power lines and substations are often lengthy. He called for more pragmatism and speed on the part of the authorities.
His conclusion: Data centers are the backbone of AI – they provide not only computing power and storage, but also security. To successfully shape the digital transformation, the industry must now invest and act decisively.
