Exploring the Value Chain of Ethical AI Series
Exploring the Value Chain of Ethical AI Series
Data Centers & The Value Chain of Ethical AI
Above: Amazon data centers located in Ashburn, Virginia (credit: VPM News Focal Point).
Dive Into Data Centers
There are more than 11,000 data centers globally providing the foundational infrastructure powering the digital economy and enabling the explosive growth of artificial intelligence. In the United States alone, there are more than 4,100 data centers spread across all 50 states. They are concentrated in several states including Texas (413), Northern California (321), Illinois (244) and Virginia which is home to the single largest number of data centers: 665.
Growth in data center capacity has been explosive, with hyperscalers like Google, Amazon and Meta set to spend more than $325 billion this year alone. Tracked spending commitments from these and other firms including Microsoft, OpenAI, Oracle and more may exceed $1.4 trillion over the next decade.
While this trend is projected to continue in the foreseeable future, growth is constrained by numerous factors including land availability, power capacity, semiconductor shortages, supply chain disruptions, talent and labor issues, community concerns and more. As a result, the existing shortfall of ~10 Gw in data center capacity is expected to persist through 2028 despite capacity more than tripling from 21 to ~67 Gw during the five year time period.
Join us for a dive into the world of data centers at the UVA Darden School of Business on February 17, 2026 from 1-7 p.m. Learn about one of the essential infrastructure components of the value chain of ethical AI through the perspectives of industry experts who are leading the charge in this dynamic sector. We will discuss the current historic growth, the professional opportunities that exist in this dynamic sector, and the business and societal challenges that must be addressed. The event is intended for the entire UVA community: students, faculty, staff and alumni.
A tentative agenda is below and subject to change. Additional details will be added as they become available.
LaCross AI Institute Series Explores Opportunities and Challenges in Data Center Development
17 February 2026
Since artificial intelligence stepped into the mainstream with OpenAI’s launch of ChatGPT in 2022, growth in the industry has exploded. Construction of Data Centers, the engines that power the digital world, ramped up.
Event Details
17 FEBRUARY 2026 | UVA DARDEN SCHOOL
TIME |
SESSION |
| 1 p.m. | Registration Saunders Hall |
| 1:30 p.m. |
Welcome and Opening Remarks This session introduces the Ethical AI Value Chain, a framework for understanding the sectors and companies shaping the AI ecosystem. Spanning infrastructure, data, algorithms, applications and management, it explores key opportunities, challenges and ethical considerations, setting the stage for a deeper dive into AI infrastructure and data centers. |
| 2 p.m. |
Keynote: "Northern Virginia: The Global Epicenter of Digital Infrastructure" This session examines the trends reshaping the global data center industry and their implications for developers, operators, investors and communities. Drawing on datacenterHawk’s market intelligence, it explores AI-driven demand, power and land constraints, capital dynamics and evolving regulatory and community pressures, particularly in fast-growing markets like Virginia. |
| 2:30 p.m. |
The Power Race: Executing Data Center Development at Speed and Scale This session explores how data center operators are addressing the power and cooling demands of AI-scale facilities while advancing sustainability goals. It examines energy use, carbon and water impacts and the innovative technologies, site strategies and operational practices needed to protect communities and natural resources. |
| 3:30 p.m. |
The New Capital Playbook: Financing AI Infrastructure This panel examines how developers, operators, investors and lenders are structuring capital stacks for the next generation of AI-driven data center infrastructure. Panelists will discuss evolving mixes of debt, equity and joint ventures and how higher rates, tighter credit and AI-specific underwriting risks are reshaping speed, risk and return. |
| 4:30 p.m |
Break |
| 4:45 p.m. |
Breakout Sessions
This session explores the key technologies that are at the heart of artificial intelligence and cloud computing, filling the 4000+ data centers that exist and the many more that are under construction or planning. Hear how the extraordinary growth of AI and its unique needs for computation, bandwidth, and connectivity create new dynamics in the data center sector and new opportunities and challenges for business and technology professionals. The digital infrastructure sector is growing faster than its talent pipeline, creating a critical workforce gap. Designed for students and others who are interested in a career in digitial infrastructure, this session explores in-demand roles, entry pathways and how to research the value chain to identify where to create the most impact. UVA and Darden alumni and hiring managers will share career insights and what differentiates strong candidates, with a focus on why Virginia is an ideal place to start. |
| 5:30 p.m. |
Wrap-Up & Closing Remarks |
| 6 p.m. |
Networking Reception |
Ed Socia | Regional Director at datacenterHawk
Dan Ephraim | VP of Sales and Leasing at PointOne DataCenters
Patrick Worrall | Principal at Scanden LLC
Matt Monaco | EVP of Asset Management & Development at AREP
Andy Stewart | CEO at Ionic Digital
Pedro Matos | Professor of Business Administration at Darden School of Business
Irtiaz Ahmad | President at Sobina Advisors
Joe Harar | CFO at EdgeconneX
Kendall Jennings Hayden, Song Account Lead, Public Service, Americas at Accenture
Jordan Davis | Talent Acquisition Manager, Construction, at Vantage Data Centers
Angel Perry | Senior Talent Acquisition Partner, North America, at Vantage Data Centers
Jeff McNish, Senior Assistant Dean, The Career Center at UVA Darden School of Business
Abbey Kang, Sr. Manager, Strategic Initiatives and Executive Content at ServiceNow
Trey Dean, Global Vice President Operational Risk and Field Execution at Vantage Data Centers
Peter Debaere,Tipton R. Snavely Professor of Business Administration Chair at UVA Darden School of Business
Tim Laseter, Professor of Practice at UVA Darden School of Business
Emerson Whitney, Darden MBA '24 and Product at Microsoft
The Value Chain of Ethical AI Series is organized by the UVA LaCross Institute for Ethical AI in Business.
Dive Into Data Centers is sponsored by PointOne Data Centers and supported by the UVA Darden Batten Institute for Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Technology; the UVA Darden Mayo Center for Asset Management; and the UVA White Ruffin Byron Center for Real Estate.
