range of AI-capable data center capex to 2030 (~$5.2T midline) – the scenario spread itself
$5.2T central ($3.7T–$7.9T)forecast
| Value kind | forecast — Forecasts are time-bound outlooks, not specifications; test decisions across plausible scenarios. |
|---|---|
| Scope | McKinsey’s constrained/central/accelerated modeled demand cases: $3.7T/$5.2T/$7.9T. Includes energy and technology infrastructure; not annual expenditure or scenario probabilities. |
| As of | 2025-04 |
| Source | McKinsey & Company, The cost of compute: A $7 trillion race to scale data centers, 28 April 2025. · AI demand alone will require $5.2 trillion in investment; scenario paragraphs and Methodology |
| Review | checking…review by 2027-04-28 · fast cadence |
| Recorded changes | last 2026-09-16 · 2 revisions tracked |
| Claim id | range-of-ai-capable-data-center-capex-to-2030-5 |
Where the guide uses it
← Full numbers register — every date-stamped figure in the guide, with revision history.