Nearly half of IT leaders in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) believe that traditional data centers are not suitable for current business needs, especially as artificial intelligence (AI) and sustainability pressures intensify. This is according to new research commissioned by Lenovo.
The study found that 46% of IT decision-makers feel their existing data center infrastructure does not support energy or carbon-reduction objectives. Additionally, while 92% prioritize technology partners who help reduce energy use and carbon footprints, only about half report their current setups align with these goals.
Data sovereignty has also emerged as a significant concern. Almost all respondents—99%—said it will be important in the future for determining how data is collected, stored, and processed. Currently, 88% already see it as a priority. Low latency requirements are also driving change; 94% cited it as essential now and moving forward due to the rise of real-time applications and edge computing.
AI’s impact on organizational data usage is expected to be substantial. Ninety percent of surveyed IT leaders anticipate AI will significantly increase data demands over the next decade. However, just 41% said their organizations are prepared to integrate AI efficiently into operations.
Simone Larsson, Head of Enterprise AI for EMEA at Lenovo, commented: “The data center of the future will be defined by how effectively it can scale for AI, deliver on sustainability targets, and operate with maximum energy efficiency. As demand for compute accelerates, customers will increasingly look to infrastructure partners who can deliver performance without compromise, and who take responsibility for reducing environmental impact.
“In EMEA, data sovereignty stands out as a particularly urgent priority, shaped by complex regional regulations and heightened scrutiny from CIOs and C-suites alike. Businesses must act now to align their infrastructure with these rising expectations because preparing for the future starts with the choices they make today.”
To explore potential solutions for evolving demands on data centers over the next three decades, Lenovo collaborated with engineering firm AKT II and architects Mamou-Mani on several conceptual designs:
– The Floating Cloud: A suspended data center operating at an altitude between 20-30 kilometers powered by solar energy using closed liquid cooling loops.
– The Data Village: Modular units situated near water sources or within cities that use liquid cooling technology; waste heat can power local amenities.
– The Data Center Bunker: Underground facilities repurposing disused tunnels or bunkers to minimize land use while benefiting from natural heat management systems.
All concepts rely on liquid cooling technologies designed to address heat challenges more efficiently than traditional air-based systems.
James Cheung, Partner at Mamou-Mani architects stated: “As architects and engineers we have a responsibility to make data centers better not just bigger. The Data Center of the Future project combines the evolving needs of businesses with practical pathways from reusing mines and bunkers to high-altitude cloud modules urban data villages and data spas that pair server heat with public amenities… While we don’t have a crystal ball to show exactly what the future holds for data centers this playbook provides a glimpse of concepts that could move from ideas to pilots faster and with less risk.”
Lenovo highlighted its Neptune liquid cooling solution as one way organizations can address increasing compute demands alongside stricter sustainability requirements. According to Lenovo Neptune removes up to 98% of system heat directly at its source while reducing reliance on traditional air-based cooling methods.
Larsson added: “Lenovo is committed to enabling smarter more sustainable infrastructure at scale… With Neptune liquid cooling technology we’re already helping customers address the rising energy demands of AI by integrating liquid cooling solutions that are both highly efficient and immediately deployable. Future-ready data centers require a shift in mindset one where sustainability is not retrofitted but engineered into the system from the very beginning.”
The findings come from Opinium research commissioned by Lenovo involving 250 IT decision makers in companies across Germany Italy Norway Sweden UK and UAE during August 2025.
For more information about Lenovo visit https://www.lenovo.com.
