Building the Infrastructure Behind AI: Insights from DataBank’s Tony Qorri

AI workloads have fundamentally transformed data center construction, forcing builders to abandon traditional approaches that became outdated almost overnight. DataBank Vice President of Construction Tony Qorri explained how the industry now faces unprecedented challenges requiring new strategies for design, materials, and execution.

The shift to liquid cooling represents one of the most dramatic changes. Traditional data centers used raised floors and perimeter cooling, but AI’s intensive requirements now demand cooling distribution units with secondary chilled water loops made from welded stainless steel components. This requires specialized welding capabilities and stronger structural designs to support heavier thermal storage systems.

“AI workloads are presenting ‘hard right and hard left’ requests from different customers. One might need complete air-cooling for network infrastructure while another is looking for extensive liquid cooling equipment for GPU-intensive operations. These aren’t minor variations—they represent fundamentally different infrastructure approaches.”

— Tony Qorri, Vice President of Construction, DataBank

Supply chain complexities have intensified, requiring builders to go two to three tiers deeper than before. Rather than working exclusively with switchgear vendors, construction teams now form direct relationships with breaker manufacturers and cable suppliers, forecasting requirements years in advance.

Labor presents the most critical challenge. North America needs an additional 439,000 workers to meet data center construction demand, with unfilled skilled trade jobs potentially hitting two million by 2033.

For the complete article on AI data center construction challenges and solutions, read the full piece at Construction Dive.