How AI is reshaping data center cooling

In this three-part manufacturer roundtable series, Xylem’s Matt Johnson discusses how rising AI workloads and higher rack densities are driving data centers to adopt hybrid cooling strategies that combine traditional air cooling with hydronic and direct-to-chip liquid cooling. He explains that these approaches improve heat transfer, efficiency and reliability, while enabling water reuse through closed-loop systems. Johnson also highlights the operational challenges that accompany the transition, including ensuring collaboration between IT and facilities teams and overcoming infrastructure limitations in retrofit environments.