Max Smolaks

Research analyst at the Uptime Institute focused on data center infrastructure, power, cooling, and economics of AI data center buildouts, known for analysis on crypto-to-AI transitions and liquid cooling trends.

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Dec 16, 2025 • 34min

Uptime Institute's Max Smolaks: Power, Racks, and the Economics of the AI Data Center Boom

Max Smolaks, a research analyst at the Uptime Institute, dives into the evolution of AI data centers, explaining how former crypto miners are repurposing underused power sources. He discusses the shift towards specialized, denser rack designs and the inevitable trend of liquid cooling, despite operator resistance. Aligning the industry on 800V DC distribution, he highlights NVIDIA's influence on new designs. Smolaks also touches upon the economic implications of fluctuating AI loads and the potential sustainability of the current AI boom.

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