global data center capex required by 2030 (~$5.2T AI-capable + ~$1.5T traditional); midline of 3 scenarios, ~156 GW AI demand
~$6.7Tforecast
| Value kind | forecast — Forecasts are time-bound outlooks, not specifications; test decisions across plausible scenarios. |
|---|---|
| As of | 2025 |
| Source | McKinsey, 'The cost of compute' · Lead investment paragraph: $6.7T total ($5.2T AI + $1.5T traditional); AI-demand section: 156 GW; Methodology: $3.7T/$5.2T/$7.9T scenarios |
| Review | checking…review by 2026-09-23 · fast cadence |
| Recorded changes | last 2026-07-14 · 4 revisions tracked |
| Claim id | global-data-center-capex-required-by-2030-5-2t |
Where the guide uses it
- 0.1 Orientation: The AI Data Center as a Single Co-Designed Machine
- D Numbers Provenance & Forecast Register
← Full numbers register — every date-stamped figure in the guide, with revision history.