Uncertainty is rising across the data center sector as operators try to anticipate how fast – and how far – AI will push capacity, cost, and operational demand. Uptime Institute’s 16th Annual Global Data Center Survey, released on July 29, captures responses from more than 1,600 participants gathered between April and May 2026, including more than 800 data center owners and operators. The modal rack density (the most commonly reported density) reached 11 kW, up from 9 kW in 2025. Colocation rates, equipment costs, power prices, and staffing expenses are all rising faster than general inflation, he said. “Building AI capability has been the top concern of almost every large, significant commercial data center company,” Lawrence said.