Conversations Shaping Digital Infrastructure

On Monday, January 20, 2025, the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Honolulu (Tapa Tower) will be buzzing with energy as industry leaders, investors, and technologists gather for PTC’25 Center Stage Day One from 9:00am and until noon.

These sessions, featuring C-suite executives, will begin with an exploration of the future of digital infrastructure investments, an area that has undergone significant changes in recent years. The top five U.S. tech companies are investing an astonishing $180 billion annually, prompting private equity firms to seek new funding models. As we approach 2025, hyperscalers are not only innovating but also acquiring infrastructure, transforming traditional partnerships. Pension funds and governments are emerging as key players, creating new financing opportunities. Attendees can expect discussions on how AI deployments are shaping investment priorities and the potential resurgence of fiber optics in response to increasing global connectivity demands.

“This isn’t just about where the money is going. It’s about how these investments are reshaping the way we build and connect digital infrastructure around the world,” said Bill Barney, President and Chair, PTC.

As the morning continues, the focus will shift to the evolution of data centers. These facilities, which quietly power much of the digital world, are facing massive changes. The rise of artificial intelligence has introduced new demands, with massive AI models now requiring dedicated power sources. Meanwhile, edge data centers—smaller, more localized facilities—are becoming increasingly important as they move closer to urban hubs to handle real-time data processing.

The discussion will likely explore whether we’re entering a new “power race” as companies scramble to meet these growing demands. There’s also an emerging debate about sustainability—how to balance the race for more power with the need to reduce environmental impact. Governments, too, are playing a bigger role in shaping policies around data center operations, which adds another layer of complexity.

“What we’re seeing now is a shift in how data centers are designed, built, and powered. It’s not just about scaling up—it’s about adapting to technologies like AI that are changing the entire game,” Barney added.

The final session of the morning will tackle the topic that everyone seems to be talking about: artificial intelligence. AI has captured global attention, but opinions remain divided. Is AI truly the revolutionary force it claims to be, or is it simply another tech trend that promises more than it can deliver? This session will look at separating fact from fiction, exploring AI’s realistic capabilities and its current impact.

The panel will also look at the role of governments in shaping AI’s development, particularly when it comes to regulation and ethical concerns. For many, this session will be an opportunity to take a step back from the hype and look at what’s actually happening in the field –real results, not just lofty promises.

Don’t miss PTC’25 Center Stage Day One! This is your chance to hear directly from the leaders shaping the future of telecommunications and digital infrastructure. For more details and featured speakers for each session, please visit the PTC’25 Agenda page.