Why data centers are becoming a strategic resource — an interview with Akashi Data Center Chairman Vladislav Minkevich.

A new, highly competitive business direction is emerging in the world. The competition is no longer just over raw materials, factories, and logistics. Countries and corporations are increasingly fighting over computing capacity, electricity, and sites for AI infrastructure. Against the backdrop of the global artificial intelligence boom, data centers are gradually transforming from technical facilities into elements of the strategic economy.

More important than oil

Minkevich explains that the key resource of the global economy is shifting from traditional categories to computing capacity. Artificial intelligence requires enormous infrastructure including data centers, electricity, and cooling systems. According to Goldman Sachs forecasts, data center energy consumption could grow by more than 160% by 2030.

Modern AI clusters require significantly denser loads — from 80–100 kW per rack, whereas just a few years ago the norm was 5–10 kW. Many existing data centers are simply not designed for such requirements.

Less than 3% of data centers worldwide meet Tier IV — the highest level of infrastructure reliability.

Kazakhstan on the global data center map

The region is only beginning to enter this development cycle. Kazakhstan has attractive factors: geographic location, political stability, digital agenda development, and international financial instruments.

The country is located between several major markets and logistics routes, which matters for infrastructure projects. Minkevich cites the examples of Singapore and Switzerland, which built their competitiveness on trust infrastructure.

He emphasizes that the window of opportunity for embedding in digital infrastructure will not be open indefinitely, as the world is rapidly rebuilding its digital base.

AI is not a temporary hype — it is a fundamental change affecting data center construction, energy planning, and government policy. In the US and other regions, AI campus projects of hundreds of megawatts are being discussed.

Kazakhstan can become a platform for next-generation infrastructure if it moves quickly and offers stable, reliable capacity.

Source: Kursiv Media