The Early Scale: AI chips push liquid cooling in data centers
Businesses worldwide are accelerating AI and data integration, making technology infrastructure pivotal to operational success. As AI chips approach 4,000 watts, data centers are moving toward liquid cooling. Retailers are working to link in-store screens to e-commerce data, while rail traffic is up 8.5%, signaling tighter conditions.
This story was produced through MarketScale. See how Business Services teams put it to work with Executive Thought Leadership.
Promoted content from The Early Scale on MarketScale.
Key takeaways
AI chips approaching 4,000 watts make liquid cooling essential for data center heat management and efficiency.
Retail stores generate only 5% of retail media revenue despite driving most sales, revealing a gap between linking in-store screens and e-commerce or POS data.
Rail traffic has increased 8.5% with new orders outpacing deliveries, signaling tighter market conditions and potential shipping delays.
Free workspace
Turn your Business Services expertise into content.
Record interviews, organize footage, and write with AI on a free trial of the MarketScale platform for qualifying companies. No demo required, no credit card.
The lead
Businesses worldwide are accelerating their AI and data integration practices, making technology infrastructure a pivotal factor in operational success. As AI chips hit unprecedented power consumption levels, data centers are evolving towards liquid cooling systems. Meanwhile, diverse sectors from retail to rail transport are experiencing significant market shifts, demonstrating how technology and strategic expansions are reshaping industry landscapes.
The Big Three
AI chips push liquid cooling in data centers
As AI chips approach 4,000 watts, liquid cooling is becoming essential for data centers, according to Power Technology. This move from air to liquid cooling is vital to handle the surging demand and manage heat efficiently. The liquid cooling market may hit $7 billion by 2029.
The B2B angle: Examine your data center cooling methods to ensure they can accommodate high-power AI workloads.
Retail stores earn just 5% of media revenue
Despite driving most sales, retail stores generate only 5% of retail media revenue, reports FingoWeb. The challenge lies in tying in-store screens to e-commerce data. Improving activation and measurement across these channels could unlock more value.
The B2B angle: Enhance your store's digital infrastructure to boost media revenue by linking screens with e-commerce and POS data.
Rail traffic up 8.5% with shifted equipment cycle
Rail traffic has increased by 8.5% recently, with new railcar orders outpacing deliveries, according to Railway Age. This shift suggests tighter market conditions ahead, highlighting a turning equipment cycle.
The B2B angle: Plan for potential delays in shipping due to growing rail traffic and equipment shortages.
Also worth knowing
The NFL game in Madrid will feature both teams using Sports Illustrated Tickets as their ticketing service, with Ticketmaster serving as the overall ticketing sponsor.
BlackHawk Industrial consolidates four Tulsa-area sites into a 72,000-square-foot hub to streamline MRO deliveries.
Bon Secours Mercy Health's acquisition of Surgery Partners for $5.7 billion indicates a strategic expansion into outpatient surgery across 30 states.
By the numbers
Smart plays for the week
Assess your data center's ability to integrate liquid cooling systems. AI chips' increasing power demands necessitate efficient heat management solutions.
Link your physical store's digital signage to your e-commerce and POS systems. Doing so could boost your share of retail media revenue, which currently stands at a low 5% for stores.
Monitor rail equipment availability to preempt shipping delays. The 8.5% increase in rail traffic hints at upcoming transport bottlenecks.
Something to think about
Technology is best when it brings people together., Matt Mullenweg, CEO of Automattic
With today's stories highlighting AI and technological integration, this quote reminds us of the ultimate goal of tech advancements.
Teach me something: Liquid Cooling
Liquid cooling involves circulating coolant around devices, absorbing heat and dissipating it efficiently. Unlike traditional air cooling, which uses fans, liquid cooling is more effective for high-powered equipment like the latest AI chips. It's crucial in data centers, where managing heat affects performance and energy use. As AI demands climb, liquid cooling methods become essential for maintaining operational efficiency.
Sources
- Power Technology: IEA: Key Questions on Energy and AI (April 2026) ↗ · Power Technology
- Dell'Oro Group: Data Center Liquid Cooling Market to Approach $7 Billion by 2029 ↗ · Dell'Oro Group
- FingoWeb: In-store retail media: screens linked to e-commerce and POS ↗ · FingoWeb
- Railway Age: AAR: U.S. Rail Traffic Rises 8.5% in Week Ending Oct. 17 ↗ · Railway Age
- STAT: Nonprofit Bon Secours Mercy Health strikes $5.7 billion deal for surgery center chain ↗ · STAT
- The Journal Record: BlackHawk Industrial combines four Tulsa-area sites into one hub ↗ · The Journal Record
- Sports Business Journal: Morning Buzz: Sports Illustrated Tickets, Bengals collab ... ↗ · Sports Business Journal
Part of this channel
The Early Scale
Five minutes of B2B intelligence. Every morning.
Your experts belong here
Every story in MarketScale Business Services starts with a company putting its consultants, practice leads, and account teams on the record. Buyers are already reading this topic. The only question is whose experts they find.
Clients hire the firm whose thinking they have already read, which means fewer cold conversations for your partners.
About the author
The MarketScale Newsroom reports on the companies, technologies, and trends shaping 16 B2B industries. It turns primary sources and expert commentary into clear, useful coverage for the people doing the work.
