Image of data centers in Ashburn, VA from above

Exploring the Value Chain of Ethical AI Series

Exploring the Value Chain of Ethical AI Series

Data Centers & The Value Chain of Ethical AI

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Above: Amazon data centers located in Ashburn, Virginia (credit: VPM News Focal Point). 

Orange graphic with event title

 

Dive Into Data Centers

There are more than 11,000 data centers globally providing the foundational infrastructure powering the digital economy and enabling the explosive growth of artificial intelligence. In the United States alone, there are more than 4,100 data centers spread across all 50 states.  They are concentrated in several states including Texas (413), Northern California (321), Illinois (244) and Virginia which is home to the single largest number of data centers: 665. 

Growth in data center capacity has been explosive, with hyperscalers like Google, Amazon and Meta set to spend more than $325 billion this year alone. Tracked spending commitments from these and other firms including Microsoft, OpenAI, Oracle and more may exceed $1.4 trillion over the next decade. 

While this trend is projected to continue in the foreseeable future, growth is constrained by numerous factors including land availability, power capacity, semiconductor shortages, supply chain disruptions, talent and labor issues, community concerns and more. As a result, the existing shortfall of ~10 Gw in data center capacity is expected to persist through 2028 despite capacity more than tripling from 21 to ~67 Gw during the five year time period. 

Join us for a dive into the world of data centers at the UVA Darden School of Business on February 17, 2026 from 1-7 p.m. Learn about one of the essential infrastructure components of the value chain of ethical AI through the perspectives of industry experts who are leading the charge in this dynamic sector. We will discuss the current historic growth, the professional opportunities that exist in this dynamic sector, and the business and societal challenges that must be addressed. The event is intended for the entire UVA community: students, faculty, staff and alumni.   

A tentative agenda is below and subject to change. Additional details will be added as they become available.

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Event Details

  • Agenda

    17 FEBRUARY 2026 | UVA DARDEN SCHOOL

     

    TIME

    SESSION
    1 p.m. Registration
    Saunders Hall 
    1:30 p.m.

    Welcome and Opening Remarks   
    CLA 50
    Marc Ruggiano, Founding Director of the LaCross AI Institute and Special Advisor for AI Initiatives, UVA Darden School of Business

    This session introduces the Ethical AI Value Chain, a framework for understanding the sectors and companies shaping the AI ecosystem. Spanning infrastructure, data, algorithms, applications and management, it explores key opportunities, challenges and ethical considerations, setting the stage for a deeper dive into AI infrastructure and data centers.
    2 p.m.

    Keynote: "Northern Virginia: The Global Epicenter of Digital Infrastructure"  
    CLA 50
    Ed Socia, Regional Director at datacenterHawk
    Introduction by, Dan Ephraim, VP of Sales and Leasing at PointOne DataCenters

    This session examines the trends reshaping the global data center industry and their implications for developers, operators, investors and communities. Drawing on datacenterHawk’s market intelligence, it explores AI-driven demand, power and land constraints, capital dynamics and evolving regulatory and community pressures, particularly in fast-growing markets like Virginia.
    2:30 p.m.

    The Power Race: Executing Data Center Development at Speed and Scale
    CLA 50
    (Moderator) Peter Debaere, Tipton R. Snavely Professor of Business Administration Chair at UVA Darden School of Business 
    Matt Monaco, EVP of Asset Management & Development at AREP
    Patrick Worrall, Principal at Scanden LLC
    Andy Stewart, CEO at Ionic Digital

    This session explores how data center operators are addressing the power and cooling demands of AI-scale facilities while advancing sustainability goals. It examines energy use, carbon and water impacts and the innovative technologies, site strategies and operational practices needed to protect communities and natural resources.
    3:30 p.m.

    The New Capital Playbook: Financing AI Infrastructure
    CLA 50
    (Moderator) Pedro Matos, Professor of Business Administration at Darden School of Business
    Joe Harar, CFO at EdgeconneX
    Irtiaz Ahmad, President at Sobina Advisors

    This panel examines how developers, operators, investors and lenders are structuring capital stacks for the next generation of AI-driven data center infrastructure. Panelists will discuss evolving mixes of debt, equity and joint ventures and how higher rates, tighter credit and AI-specific underwriting risks are reshaping speed, risk and return.
    4:30 p.m

    Break
    4:45 p.m.

    Breakout Sessions


    Fireside Chat: The Technology Stack of AI and Cloud
    CLA 130
    (Moderator) Tim Laseter, Professor of Practice at UVA Darden School of Business

    This session explores the key technologies that are at the heart of artificial intelligence and cloud computing, filling the 4000+ data centers that exist and the many more that are under construction or planning. Hear how the extraordinary growth of AI and its unique needs for computation, bandwidth, and connectivity create new dynamics in the data center sector and new opportunities and challenges for business and technology professionals.


    Building a Career in Digital Infrastructure
    CLA 50
    (Moderator) Jeff McNish, Senior Assistant Dean, The Career Center at UVA Darden School of Business
    Kendall Jennings Hayden, Song Account Lead, Public Service, Americas at Accenture
    Abbey Kang, Sr. Manager, Strategic Initiatives and Executive Content at ServiceNow
    Trey Dean, Global Vice President Operational Risk and Field Execution at Vantage Data Centers
    Jordan Davis, Talent Acquisition Manager, Construction, at Vantage Data Centers
    Angel Perry, Senior Talent Acquisition Partner, North America, at Vantage Data Centers

    The digital infrastructure sector is growing faster than its talent pipeline, creating a critical workforce gap. Designed for students and others who are interested in a career in digitial infrastructure, this session explores in-demand roles, entry pathways and how to research the value chain to identify where to create the most impact. UVA and Darden alumni and hiring managers will share career insights and what differentiates strong candidates, with a focus on why Virginia is an ideal place to start.
    5:30 p.m.

    Wrap-Up & Closing Remarks
    CLA 50
    Marc Ruggiano, Founding Director of the LaCross AI Institute and Special Advisor for AI Initiatives at UVA Darden School of Business
    6 p.m.

    Networking Reception
    South Lounge & PepsiCo Forum
  • Speakers

     

    Ed

     

     

     

    Ed Socia | Regional Director at datacenterHawk

     

     

     

     

     

    Dan

     

     

     

    Dan Ephraim | VP of Sales and Leasing at PointOne DataCenters

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Patrick

     

     

     

    Patrick Worrall | Principal at Scanden LLC

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Matt

     

     

     

     

    Matt Monaco | EVP of Asset Management & Development at AREP

     

     

     

     

     

    Andy

     

     

     

    Andy Stewart | CEO at Ionic Digital

     

     

     

     

     

    Pedro

     

     

     

    Pedro Matos | Professor of Business Administration at Darden School of Business

     

     

     

     

     

    Irtiaz

     

     

     

    Irtiaz Ahmad | President at Sobina Advisors

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Joe

     

     

     

    Joe Harar | CFO at EdgeconneX

     

     

     

     

     

    Kendall

     

     

     

    Kendall Jennings Hayden, Song Account Lead, Public Service, Americas at Accenture

     

     

     

     

     

    Jordan

     

     

     

    Jordan Davis | Talent Acquisition Manager, Construction, at Vantage Data Centers

     

     

     

     

     

    Angel

     

     

     

    Angel Perry | Senior Talent Acquisition Partner, North America, at Vantage Data Centers

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Jeff

     

     

     

     

    Jeff McNish, Senior Assistant Dean, The Career Center at UVA Darden School of Business

     

     

     

     

     

    Abbey

     

     

     

    Abbey Kang, Sr. Manager, Strategic Initiatives and Executive Content at ServiceNow

     

     

     

     

    Trey Dean

     

     

     

    Trey Dean, Global Vice President Operational Risk and Field Execution at Vantage Data Centers

     

     

     

     

    Peter Dabaere

     

     

     

    Peter Debaere,Tipton R. Snavely Professor of Business Administration Chair at UVA Darden School of Business 

     

     

     

     

     

    Tim

     

     

     

    Tim Laseter, Professor of Practice at UVA Darden School of Business

The Value Chain of Ethical AI Series is organized by the UVA LaCross Institute for Ethical AI in Business. 

Dive Into Data Centers is sponsored by PointOne Data Centers and supported by the UVA Darden Batten Institute for Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Technology; the UVA Darden Mayo Center for Asset Management; and the UVA White Ruffin Byron Center for Real Estate.