UK data centre firm champions the 'neural edge' revolution

UK data centre provider Latos has called for the development of a new generation of localised, high-density computing facilities to accelerate the adoption of AI across the UK.

Latos proposes "neural edge" data centres as a solution to enable real-time AI by bringing powerful computing capabilities closer to end users. Unlike conventional edge networks, which lack the processing power required for sophisticated AI models, these data centres aim to address this challenge.

The potential transformation brought by real-time AI could impact various sectors, such as the public, financial services, and consumer applications. AI could streamline civil service operations in the public sector and improve law enforcement and emergency responses. The uniform availability of high-speed AI would be crucial in facilitating these improvements.

In the financial sector, AI-powered services are envisaged to enhance customer security, reduce risks, and protect against fraud. It is reported that approximately 75% of British financial institutions are currently utilising AI for risk analysis and fraud detection. Consumer applications such as predictive healthcare tools, smart home automation, and autonomous vehicles rely heavily on real-time AI to ensure safety and security.

Latos has recently introduced volumetric data centres, which provide a scalable method for organisations to develop "neural edge" capabilities in tandem with their evolving AI needs. These facilities are designed with power and cooling configurations to support demanding AI workloads, and their modular designs allow for rapid deployment and expansion.

Andrew Collin, Managing Director of Latos, stated, "Our concept of the 'neural edge' is vital to supporting the growth of AI in the UK. Organisations can only fully capitalise on their potential when the technology behind it becomes ubiquitous and fast. Any bottlenecks or unnecessary latency could increase risks or missed opportunities."

He further commented on the new data centres: "The new generation of volumetric data centres we're planning will address these issues. They are unobtrusive, cost-effective, and designed to provide computing power to enable mass-market AI adoption."

The growth of AI in the UK is notably rapid, with Microsoft estimating that AI could contribute an additional £550bn to the UK economy over the next ten years. Accenture has also predicted that by 2032, individuals will spend more time interacting with AI agents than using applications. Later this year, the UK Government plans to outline a long-term strategy for the country's AI infrastructure needs, supported by a decade-long investment commitment.