Image credit: Khazna/ Supplied
Q. How does Khazna’s participation at GITEX align with the overall company strategy?
Our participation at the GITEX 2024 aligns with our strategy, given that we are the largest data centre provider in the region. Being in a location such as this is crucial, not only due to scalability but also because we depend heavily on an ecosystem of partners, including our supply chain, the energy sector, and our customers. Therefore, this collaboration is extremely important to Khazna.
Q. Could you share insights into the data centre you are developing in Ajman and how you are collaborating with other key players to nurture a thriving ecosystem?
We announced during GITEX that we are building a 100MW, AI-optimised data centre in Ajman that will use liquid cooling technology, essential for AI applications. The first-of-its-kind data centre will reinforce our market-leading position as an enabler of AI innovation and our commitment to powering the digital economy for the age of AI.
Our new Ajman data centre is a state-of-the-art facility tailored to the demanding computational needs of artificial intelligence. Advanced cooling systems and energy-efficient modular design ensure optimal performance and scalability, positioning the UAE at the forefront of AI innovation.
Furthermore, we are part of the G42 Group, which has numerous partnerships from which we benefit. Our business model is relatively straightforward: we own the entire value chain of data centres, from locating and designing to building and operating them. Throughout this process, we engage with various partners.
In the UAE, we collaborate with authorities, municipalities, and landowners to identify suitable land and with energy providers to secure power for these sites. During the design phase, we work with technical experts, designers, and architects to ensure optimal plans. Similarly, we partner with contractors for project management and infrastructure development during the construction stage.
On the operations front, we rely on various partners to help manage and maintain the facilities. Similarly, we engage with potential customers, such as hyperscalers such as NVIDIA, collaborating closely during the design phase to ensure our data centre meets their architectural requirements.
Q. What is your outlook on the future of AI in the data centre industry, and what role do you believe it will play moving forward?
We see massive opportunities for the data centre industry to leverage AI, especially in facilitating the transition to green energy. That’s one clear and obvious use case.
AI can also play a role at various stages across our entire value chain. For example, in site selection, we can use AI to evaluate metrics such as geological risks and other parameters. During the design phase, AI can assist with complex calculations involving airflow and equipment placement.
On the operations front, AI plays a crucial role in predictive maintenance, helping us monitor equipment health and determine the optimal time for interventions, ultimately extending the lifespan of our assets.
AI presents enormous potential across the value chain, and we are actively working to find the best solutions. As part of the G42, we have access to advanced AI capabilities, which we can leverage to drive innovation and efficiency in our operations.
Q. Reflecting on your role, what would you consider some of the major achievements of 2024 that make you proud as the head of at Khazna?
The recent announcement about our largest data centre to date is a significant milestone for Khazna. The project has been in the pipeline for several months, and it is not just a recent development. It features a new, unique design specifically tailored for AI, which makes it a major achievement.
We have also undertaken retrofit efforts at an existing data centre to enable GPU and AI workloads, further expanding our capabilities in this space.
On the customer front, we have experienced massive growth, onboarding a large number of new clients. With this growth, naturally, came significant changes within the organisation. However, our ability to remain stable and focused and maintain our company culture through these transitions has been one of our greatest achievements in 2024.
Q. What are your predictions for the future of the data centre industry, and how is Khazna positioning itself to capitalise on these trends?
The UAE has a significant opportunity to become a global leader in the data centre industry. While traditional markets are becoming more saturated, and it’s increasingly challenging to find land and power, the UAE offers unique advantages in power availability and stability.
This positioning can help the UAE become a beacon for the global south, facilitating the development of infrastructure in currently underserved regions. We see this as a tremendous opportunity for our company to contribute to the UAE’s leadership in this space and to make AI accessible for all.
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