Organizations like datacenter Hawk and Colliers have released Q1 2026 market insights about record-level leasing activity and capital formation in North America, with AI workloads driving rapid capacity expansion. Broader projections for U.S. data center construction spending reflect record monthly highs of more than $2.4 billion (as of early 2026).
Worldwide, data center Capex is projected to reach approximately $1 trillion in 2026, with the U.S. accounting for roughly 44% of total global data center spending in recent periods. Approximately 46% to 56% of capacity and related Capex is located in major investment hubs like China (16%), Europe (15%), and APAC (14%), with rapid growth also in India, Brazil, Kenya, the UAE, and Singapore.
Susana Schwartz
Technology Editor
RCRTech
AI Infrastructure Top Stories
Reality of liquid-to-air cooling: Pure liquid cooling gets the headlines, but the reality is hybrid architectures that combine air and liquid systems help to repurpose air-cooling infrastructure while introducing liquid cooling where it’s needed most.
Tecto targets enterprises: Tecto’s $2 billion infrastructure plan involves 5 new data centers, including a 200 MW facility for AI and cloud. CRO Tito Costa tells RCRTech Brazilian enterprises increasingly seek AI, cloud, and data-intensive applications.
Dallas, TX AI Roundtables: No vendor pitches or panels, but straightforward, intimate conversation with C-level decision-makers about how to power and deliver AI at scale, despite grid, supply chain, labor, geopolitical and other challenges.
AI Today: What You Need to Know
PSC decision on data center tariff: Wisconsin’s Public Service Commission took up We Energies’ VLC and Bespoke Resources Tariff application, issuing a decision that protects existing customers and improves public transparency about prices.
Brookings research on DC jobs: Counties that receive their 1st large DC see total private employment rise by 4%-5% over 5-6 years, with an 11% construction jump and a 22% information sector jump. Wages rise by 3%-4%, as do. home prices.
SpaceX $55B Terafab in TX: SpaceX has filed plans for a $55B Terafab chip facility near the Gibbons Creek Reservoir – a joint project with Tesla that may require up to $119B in total investment (if all phases are completed).
$1.65B purchase of AMI: In a move to advance its “everywhere companion chip strategy,” Lattice Semiconductor has bought firmware company AMI for $1.65B, in a move to help customers “deploy complex systems faster,” says Lattice CEO.
Johnson Controls 2nd ‘cooling’ guide: Johnson Controls’ 2nd data center reference design guide aims to advance industrial‑scale AI factory cooling with advances in energy and water efficiency, as well as noise impact on communities.
Panthalassa nets $140M: Palantir’s Peter Thiel is backing a $140M wave-powered AI data center startup, Panthalassa, which pairs wave power generated by massive floating orbs with onsite AI computing. The systems transmit data via LEO satellites.
RCR Events
Test & Measurement Forum, May 19
Join the annual Test & Measurement Forum where industry leaders, innovators, and engineers come together to tackle the most pressing test and measurement challenges in telco today. Register now
Telco AI Forum, June 16th
Telco AI Forum brings together operators, vendors, hyperscalers, and academia to explore how the evolution of the industry and partnership ecosystems is laying the foundations for AI-native 6G networks and unlocking ROI. Register now
Quantum Safe Networks Forum, July 14th
Quantum Safe Networks Forum brings together telecom operators, cybersecurity experts, and industry analysts to explore how to build resilient, future-ready infrastructure in the face of quantum disruption. Register now
RCR Roundtables AI Infrastructure, October 21st, Dallas, Texas
Join 50 senior data center, energy and AI leaders at the Ritz-Carlton Dallas on October 21 for invitation-only roundtables on powering and scaling AI. Request your invitation
Industry Resources
Webinar, May 21st: Securing telecom infrastructure for the quantum era
Webinar, June 2nd: Scaling optical networks for the AI and hyperscale era
Report: AI in testing: Developing trust, delivering results
Report: Test, measurement and service assurance in the AI era
Whitepaper: Powering sovereign AI at scale
