- Firmus Technologies wins Asia Pacific Data Centre Project of the Year award for AI Factory.
- Company is advances sustainable AI infrastructure initiative.
With the press of a button, a concealed wall slides open, revealing the core of a modern data centre. Through a glass pane, rows of black network racks stretch into the distance, their blinking lights and low hum signifying the important processes within. The racks power activities ranging from cloud services and AI to digital service platforms, and serve as the backbone of what we call digital transformation.
The high-security zone is meticulously temperature-controlled and monitored around the clock. Staff require client approval to access the data centre floor, underscoring the facility’s stringent protocols. Such centres highlight Southeast Asia’s growing demand for robust digital infrastructure, driven increased internet usage, and the rising influence of AI technologies.
Firmus Technologies, a Singapore-based company, is at the forefront of these developments. Recently, it was recognised with the Asia Pacific Data Centre Project of the Year award for its AI Factory – a facility combining energy-efficient design with innovative infrastructure to meet the growing demands of AI computing.
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1. Transforming data centres for the AI age
The AI Factory is part of Firmus’s broader efforts to upgrade existing ST Telemedia Global Data Centres (STT GDC) into GPU-powered AI computing platforms. The redesigned facilities integrate cutting-edge hardware and efficient cooling systems that are designed to support enterprise and research applications while achieving considerable energy performance gains.
The initiative aligns with Singapore’s strategic objective of advancing AI infrastructure innovation. Backed by STT GDC and supported by the Singaporean government, the project aims to provide local businesses and institutions with cost-effective GPU computing resources, solidifying Singapore’s position as a global hub for AI development.
Tim Rosenfield, Co-CEO of Firmus Technologies, explained the project’s significance: “By rethinking data centre design, we have created a platform that supports the growth of AI while promoting environmental sustainability. If we can do it in Singapore, where space is constrained and the humid climate is against us, we can do it anywhere,” he said.
2. Leadership and sustainable innovation
Firmus recently appointed Dr. Daniel Kearney as its Chief Technology Officer. With experience as AWS’s Head of Technology for the ASEAN Enterprise business, Dr. Kearney now leads Firmus’s engineering team. Reflecting on the company’s recognition, he emphasised the importance of sustainable infrastructure: “The win against established data centre players highlights the importance of technology like ours in addressing AI’s growth and the energy challenges it brings.”
Beyond the AI Factory, Firmus is advancing its Sustainable Metal Cloud (SMC) initiative, which focuses on creating energy-efficient infrastructure for AI. The company states the initiative has reached several milestones:
- Power efficiency benchmarks: Firmus was the first DC provider to publish detailed power consumption data alongside performance results for the MLPerf Training benchmark,
- Policy contributions: Tim Rosenfield’s insights informed the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change’s agenda on managing AI’s energy demands,
- Industry collaboration: At ATxSG24, Firmus’ Chairman, Edward (Ted) Pretty, joined a panel comprising representatives from organisations like NVIDIA, the World Bank, and Alibaba Cloud to discuss sustainability challenges in AI,
- Global expansion: Firmus is deploying its first fleet of Sustainable AI Factories, known as Hypercubes, in several regions,
- Engagement at NVIDIA GTC 2024: Firmus participated in discussions on sustainable AI infrastructure with partners including NVIDIA, Deloitte, and WEKA.
3. A broader digital transformation
Firmus’s initiatives reflect the broader trends shaping Southeast Asia’s digital landscape. Facilities like STT GDC’s Bangkok 1, with its futuristic design and high-security perimeter, exemplify the region’s role in the digital economy. According to CNA, analysts predict that the APAC’s digital economy could triple in value to US$1 trillion by 2030, spurring demand for data centres and AI-ready infrastructure.
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However, any growth comes with challenges. Generative AI models and similar systems require significantly more energy than traditional computing. Balancing infrastructure expansion with sustainability is a pressing concern. Lionel Yeo, CEO of STT GDC Southeast Asia, summarised the dilemma: “The is one of the most fundamental conflicts we have today; how can we better support the growth of AI, which helps to transform industries and societies, but at the same time minimise the impact to our environment?”
4. The road ahead
Firmus Technologies’ efforts exemplify how innovation can address these challenges. With the AI Factory and Sustainable Metal Cloud, the company shows how technology can meet demand for AI and foster sustainability. Projects like these will play a significant role in shaping Southeast Asia’s future.
