The AI Buildout: How Next-Gen Compute Is Reshaping The Global Datacenter Market

Artificial intelligence (“AI”) is accelerating a structural shift in the global data center market, moving us forward into a new era of compute. The rise of AI workloads is driving unprecedented demand for high-performance data center capacity, expected to surpass 150 GW globally by 2030.1 Higher densities and tighter efficiency thresholds are rapidly redefining data center design and economics.

To meet this demand, the industry is entering a cycle of outsized capital investment. AI-driven capacity expansion is expected to require over $4 trillion in CAPEX over the next five years, which we estimate will demand over $1 trillion in economic value added yearly by 2030 to satisfy investor expectations.2 Funding for such wave exceeds hyperscaler’s balance sheets, pushing the industry towards new financial models, including outsourcing and consortiums.

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Footnotes:

1: FTI Consulting analysis using Kimberly Steele, “Global data center sector to nearly double to 200GW amid AI infrastructure boom,” JLL (January 6, 2026)

2: FTI Consulting proprietary analysis

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Published

January 29, 2026

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Audi Pous

Senior Managing Director

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