DATA CENTRES  VERTIV


How AI is reshaping factory infrastructure from the edge in


By Slawomir Dziedziula, Senior Director of Application


Artifi cial Intelligence (AI) is becoming a defi ning feature of modern manufacturing.


F


rom visual inspection systems to predictive maintenance and autonomous process controls, manufacturers across Ireland are


exploring AI to enhance productivity, reduce waste and streamline operations. According to PwC, nearly three-quarters (73 per cent) of Irish manufacturing operations expect AI to increase profi tability by 2030. But the growing power of AI brings with it new infrastructure challenges. Large language models (LLMs) and machine learning (ML) applications generate huge volumes of data and require near- instantaneous processing. Transferring that data to centralised data centres introduces latency, increases risk and adds cost. Instead, what’s emerging is a decentralised approach: edge computing data centres purpose- built to bring processing closer to where data is created. For Irish manufacturers looking to scale AI


effi ciently, edge computing is fast becoming a strategic investment. But building AI-ready infrastructure requires careful attention to power


supply, thermal performance and network design. These three elements must work together to deliver the responsiveness and resilience that AI applications demand.


MEETING AI WHERE IT HAPPENS Edge data centres are compact, all-in-one systems that can be located on, or near, a manufacturing site. By processing data locally, they reduce dependence on external connectivity and provide the kind of low-latency environment in which AI thrives.


This is particularly useful in scenarios where real-time decision-making is critical. An AI- enabled quality control system, for example, may need to analyse high-resolution video frames in milliseconds to identify fl aws on a production line. Delays of even a few seconds can cause defects to pass undetected. An edge system enables data to stay close, and allows action to be immediate. Edge architecture is also more adaptable. It


allows manufacturers to start small, perhaps supporting a pilot AI project in one part of the


12 September/October 2025 Irish Manufacturing


plant, and expand capacity as needs grow. It supports data sovereignty and makes compliance with regulatory standards more straightforward, especially for sensitive operations.


DESIGNING FOR POWER-HUNGRY WORKLOADS Many manufacturers are already grappling with rising energy costs and grid pressures. Adding AI to the mix intensifi es those demands. Modern AI chips can draw fi ve times more power than traditional central processing units (CPUs), pushing rack densities beyond 80kW. To support these workloads, edge facilities need highly effi cient power systems, with enough resilience to maintain uptime in the event of power fl uctuations or outages. In Ireland, where renewable energy sources are increasingly part of the industrial mix, intelligent energy integration and backup systems are key design considerations. Uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) and advanced battery systems can help stabilise


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