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JANUARY/FEBRUARY/MARCH 2025 Volume 46, Issue 1
FROM THE BOARD PRESIDENT 05 Innovating at the Crossroads of Technology, Energy, and Values By David M. Richards, RCDD, NTS, OSP, TECH, CT COVER ARTICLE 06 Energizing the AI Frontier The worlds of energy and data are converging like never before. This convergence, driven by the explosive growth of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technologies, is pushing existing infrastructure beyond conventional boundaries, and reshaping the very foundations of the digital world. By Seán Adam and Manja Thessin 14 Optimizing High-Throughput Wi-Fi: A Practical Guide to Testing and Troubleshooting Wi-Fi has become the cornerstone of connectivity, connecting everything from smartphones and laptops to smart homes and industrial IoT devices. As the demand for faster, more reliable wireless networks continues to grow, network professionals must have a deep understanding of testing and troubleshooting these complex systems. By Mark Mullins 24 Examining the Impact of AI on the Energy Grid In 2024, the discourse surrounding data centers and their operators underwent a significant transformation, propelled by the burgeoning influence of artificial intelligence (AI). This shift was primarily driven by an exponential surge in energy demand from AI-enhanced data centers. Currently, AI applications are estimated to consume between 10% and 20% of the electricity utilized by data centers, and as adoption across industries grows, this percentage will increase. By Dr. Rebecca Bosco
32 Limited-Energy Hybrid Fiber/Power Cables: Delivering Bandwidth and Power to the Edge The rapid evolution of IoT, sensors, AI, and machine learning is accelerating a seismic shift in building management and industrial automation systems, turning data into insights far beyond traditional expectations. This transformation into smart systems equipped with sensors marks a new era where IT plays a vital role in managing and maximizing their potential across diverse applications. By Gayla Arrindell and Steve Eaves 36 ICT Bonding Infrastructure Design Best Practices In the modern hyper-connected world, the seamless integration of information and communications technology (ICT) with electrical power systems is more crucial than ever. As data centers and enterprise networks grow in complexity, ICT professionals face the challenge of ensuring connectivity and optimal safety and performance. By Bob Faber 44 Values vs. Value: The Race to the Bottom in Telecommunications Infrastructure The telecommunications industry is the cornerstone of global connectivity in the rapidly evolving landscape of technology. But there are ethical implications of the race to the bottom in how materials essential to this infrastructure are sourced. It is time to confront the harsh realities and moral questions that underpin these
production processes. By Elaine Kasperek
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