Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionising industries, driving innovations in predictive analytics, real-time decision-making and complex simulations. This rapid expansion has led to a significant increase in AI workloads, with AI data centre energy consumption projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 44.7 per cent, reaching 146.2 terawatt-hours (TWh) by 2027. This surge in demand necessitates robust, high-performance storage solutions capable of handling the influx of data from AI applications so it can be generated, processed, and stored.
Among the various storage options available, enterprise solid-state drives (SSDs) are particularly well-suited to meet the specific demands of AI workloads.
Here’s how SSDs are enabling AI-driven organisations to excel:
- Unmatched speed for real-time AI processing: AI thrives on speed, whether training large models, powering real-time recommendations, or processing sensor data. NVMe™-powered SSDs offer unparalleled data access speeds, ensuring AI systems operate without delays. With innovations like PCIe® Gen5 technology, which offers unprecedented data transfer rates and reduces latency, SSDs such as the SanDisk DC SN861 NVMe SSD provide enterprise-class speeds with high performance, low power consumption, ultra-low latency and rapid responsiveness, empowering AI applications to perform at their best.
- Scalability to support growing data demands: AI workloads are data-intensive, involving everything from large-scale video datasets to intricate neural networks. SSDs offer scalability to match these demands while maintaining high performance. High-capacity drives like the Ultrastar® DC SN655 NVMe SSD, with its 61.44TB* storage, ensure seamless expansion for organisations managing ever-growing AI operations.
- Energy efficiency for AI workloads: The high computational demands of AI workloads can significantly impact energy consumption. SSDs are designed with energy efficiency in mind, consuming less power and generating less heat. This helps organisations manage their energy costs while also contributing to sustainability initiatives which is a critical factor for data centres growing to support AI infrastructure.
- Reliability for critical AI applications: AI is increasingly deployed in mission-critical scenarios, from healthcare to autonomous systems. In these environments, storage solutions must be robust and reliable. SSDs are engineered for consistent performance and durability, offering dependable storage for workloads that require uninterrupted operation. This reliability ensures that AI-driven systems function smoothly, even under demanding conditions.
- Tailored for diverse AI workflows: AI workloads range from training and inferencing to real-time analytics, each with unique storage requirements. SSDs are tailored to handle these varied tasks with exceptional efficiency. For example, enterprise SSDs like the SanDisk DC SN861 deliver the high-speed performance needed for inferencing, while also providing the endurance required for training extensive AI models.
Conclusion
While every storage technology has its strengths, SSDs stand out for their ability to meet the unique demands of AI workloads. By offering the speed, scalability, and reliability needed for modern data centres, enterprise SSDs are helping organisations harness the full potential of artificial intelligence. As AI continues to transform industries, SSDs are poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of high-performance computing.
