Rising AI adoption accelerates need for data storage

The rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) is driving unprecedented global demand for data storage solutions, with businesses, governments, and institutions rushing to expand their digital infrastructure.

Addressing the GITEX Kenya forum last week, Tosh NXT Tech Ventures Managing Director Santosh Varghese said the ongoing AI revolution worldwide has significantly increased the need for advanced data storage systems.

Tosh NXT Tech Ventures is a commercial partner for Toshiba Europe, managing the company’s data storage business across the Middle East and Africa.

“Today, data is a currency. Because there’s an AI revolution happening, and for AI engines to work, you need to have data,” Varghese said.

According to the company, research indicates that nearly 166 zettabytes of data will be generated globally within the next few years, increasing pressure on organizations to invest in reliable storage systems.

Varghese noted that artificial intelligence systems rely heavily on massive volumes of stored information for training, analysis, and automation, making data centres and enterprise storage infrastructure increasingly important.

He said the surge in AI adoption has also led to shortages in data storage devices globally, with some businesses waiting up to four months to acquire hard drives for major projects.

“There’s a massive demand for Hard Disk Drives across all categories, mainly Enterprise HDD because businesses and hyperscalers are implementing large AI solutions,” he said.

The company showcased Toshiba’s MG Series enterprise HDD and various technologies at the summit, including high-capacity hard drives ranging from 24 terabytes. Toshiba also recently announced a higher capacity HDD at 32TB capacity in their roadmap designed for data centres and AI applications.

Varghese said some of the company’s enterprise hard drives use helium-filled technology to reduce heat generation and power consumption in large-scale data centres operating around the clock.

The company said enterprise hard drives remain among the most in-demand products globally, particularly among banks, hospitals, universities, and large technology firms operating data centres.

Beyond enterprise systems, Toshiba also supplies storage devices for surveillance systems, small businesses, and personal consumers.

Varghese noted that surveillance storage demand is also rising, especially with the growth of AI-powered security systems and smart monitoring technologies.

Last year, Toshiba launched the Toshiba S300 AI Surveillance Hard Drive capable of supporting up to 64 CCTV cameras and handling 32 AI video feeds continuously throughout the year.

The company said Kenya and Africa remain important growth markets as organizations continue investing in digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and cloud infrastructure.

Varghese added that businesses are increasingly shifting from simply storing information to actively analyzing data for decision-making and operational efficiency. “Businesses are not just storing data and keeping it for seven or ten years. They are analyzing the data and using it for business applications,” he said.