Connect | Virginia // DCD>Debate: Rethinking data center operations under the watchful eye of your robotic coworkers

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  • —
  • Management & Operations
  • Open Session

Speakers

Jeff Safovich

CTO, RiT Tech_Xpedite Global

Eric Messina

Director, Controls Engineering, Equinix

Bryan Decker

Co-Founder, CEO, Steadfast Operations

Rishab Harikrishnan

Principal Hardware Manager, Oracle

Chris Lettiere

Chris Lettiere

Senior Director Data Center Operations, CoreSite

Tom Liddy

Global Sales Director, DCD Academy

As automation and AI advance, robots are no longer a novelty - they’re threatening to redefine the entire operational model. Gartner predicts that by 2025, half of cloud data centers will use AI-powered robotics, driving a 30% efficiency boost. From autonomous surveillance drones to robotic arms performing routine maintenance, the human technician is starting to look like the weakest link.

But are we moving too fast? Are robots truly ready to be wired into every aspect of our data centers, and trusted with mission-critical operations? Or are we trading human insight for short-term efficiency? Won't full automation introduce brittle, opaque systems and sideline the workforce before the tech is truly ready?

Conducted under Chatham House Rule, this DCD>Debate invites experts to dissect these pivotal industry issues.