Experts have highlighted that the progress of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is heavily dependent on effective data management, stressing the importance of efficient storage solutions. In a recent talk titled “The AI Data Cycle: Understanding the Optimal Storage Mix for AI Workloads at Scale,” Ghassan Azzi, Sales Director at Western Digital, discussed how the AI sector is constructing extensive infrastructure for model training and service delivery, which has major implications for data storage.
Azzi introduced the term “AI data cycle” to describe the ongoing process of data creation and storage that fuels the need for advanced, cost-efficient, and energy-efficient storage technologies.
He explained that as AI systems process data, they generate new data that is often retained due to its utility or entertainment value, creating a cycle where increased data production drives higher storage demands, further fueling data generation.
IDC Research Director Ed Burns noted that the impact on storage is considerable, as data accessibility affects the speed, efficiency, and accuracy of AI models, especially with the rise of larger, higher-quality datasets.
Burns emphasized that as AI becomes more integrated into various industries, storage solution providers are innovating to address the unique demands of each stage in the AI data cycle, ensuring effective management of large datasets and advancing AI technology.