Behind every search, stream and message lies a vast physical system: data centres.
These facilities store and process the information that powers modern life, from social media and banking to artificial intelligence and cloud computing.
Companies such as Amazon, Microsoft and Google are investing heavily in expanding this infrastructure to meet growing demand.
The rise of AI is accelerating the trend. Training and running advanced models requires significant computing power, increasing the need for larger and more energy-intensive facilities.
This has raised environmental concerns. Data centres consume large amounts of electricity and water for cooling, prompting efforts to improve efficiency and shift toward renewable energy.
Governments are also paying more attention, recognising data infrastructure as strategically important.
Experts say data centres illustrate a key feature of modern technology: the digital world depends on highly physical systems.
