Shark Tank Veteran and Renowned Investor Kevin O’Leary Shares Why Data Centers Are Today’s Gold Rush

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Kevin O'Leary
Shark Tank Veteran and Renowned Investor

When: Thursday, April 17, 2025 | 9:00 am - 10:00 am
Location: Ballroom A/B - 3rd Floor

You may know him as Mr. Wonderful from ABC’s ‘Shark Tank’ series – though today, Kevin O’Leary is better known for his venture capitalist and investment pursuits. And one industry Kevin is hot on is data centers.

Not only does he promote investing in data centers in mainstream media, but he is personally investing in a ‘mega data center project’ called Wonder Valley through his O’Leary Ventures company. This AI-powered data center industrial park will be nestled within the Greenview Industrial Gateway (GIG) in Alberta’s Municipal District of Greenview. Planned as an off-grid, approximately 8-gigawatt AI Data Center Park, Wonder Valley represents a bold step into the future of technology. O’Leary will share his learnings from this critical project, and insights on the data center industry and its thirst for power and alternative energy resources.

He will also share anecdotes from his 15-year run as one of the most popular judges on Shark Tank. Known for his tough critiques and brutal honesty, O’Leary has seen his fair share of good ideas and bad ones.

Fortunately for data centers, the hype cycle is real. This is a ‘can’t miss’ keynote!

View Kevin O'Leary's Bio

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Data Centers at Scale in the Age of Accelerated Computing

Wade Vinson
Chief Data Center Engineer, NVIDIA

When: Tuesday, April 15, 2025 | 8:30 am - 9:45 am
Location: Ballroom A/B - 3rd Floor

The rise of AI is reshaping the data center landscape, creating a demand for faster, more energy-efficient facilities capable of supporting 100,000 GPUs or more. In this keynote, Wade Vinson, Chief Data Center Engineer, explores how NVIDIA is tackling this challenge with innovative approaches, including digital twin technology. This powerful tool enables comprehensive modeling of data center infrastructure, from cooling systems to resource allocation, helping operators optimize designs, reduce energy consumption, and bring data centers online in weeks rather than years.

Wade will delve into how NVIDIA’s digital twin simulations empower data centers to enhance operational efficiency through holistic energy management. Attendees will learn how scalable design and precise planning have enabled them to set up high-performance centers in as little as 19 days and how these innovations support the faster, more efficient deployment needed to meet AI-driven market demands.

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Powering the Future: Google and Kairos Power's Collaborative Path to Clean Energy

When: Wednesday, April 16 | 8:30 am - 9:45 am
Location: Ballroom A/B - 3rd Floor

The race to power AI-driven data centers is accelerating, and securing sustainable, reliable energy at scale is more critical than ever. In October 2024, Google and Kairos Power announced a groundbreaking agreement to develop up to 500 MW of nuclear energy through small modular reactors (SMRs), a move poised to redefine energy strategies for hyperscalers and data center operators. Backed by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program, this initiative aims for initial deployment by 2030, with further expansions through 2035.

This keynote will explore nuclear energy's implications for supporting AI's power-hungry demands, the role of advanced reactors in stabilizing grid infrastructure, and how data center operators can adapt to an evolving energy landscape. Join industry leaders from Google and Kairos Power as they discuss the intersection of clean energy, nuclear innovation, and the future of mission-critical infrastructure.

Lucia Tan, Head of Clean Energy & Decarbonization Technologies, Google

Lucia Tian | Panelist
Head of Clean Energy & Decarbonization Technologies, Google

Jeffrey Olson, Vice President of Business Development & Finance from Kairos Power

Jeffrey Olson | Panelist
Vice President of Business Development & Finance, Kairos Power

Bill Kleyman | Moderator
DCW Program Chair & CEO & Co-Founder, Apolo

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Diamond Sponsor Keynotes

Molecule the New Electron: Understanding How to Chase the Molecule

When: Tuesday, April 15, 2025 | 8:30 am - 9:45 am
Location: Ballroom A/B - 3rd Floor

As data centers evolve, the molecules are becoming more important than the electrons. In this keynote, explore how natural gas is reshaping site selection, reliability, and scalability — and why chasing the molecule is now key to powering the digital future.

About David Bell

Dave Bell is the Vice President of Data Center and MicroGrid Development at VoltaGrid, where he spearheads the strategic identification and implementation of microgrid solutions tailored to the needs of large industry and utility entities. With a keen focus on integrating clean and reliable energy sources, Dave ensures seamless support for operational requirements and bolsters the resilience of the utility grid.

With an impressive portfolio, Dave has overseen the installation of multi-terawatt hours of energy solutions, both upstream and downstream, catering to the needs of major industrial players and utilities. Prior to joining VoltaGrid, Dave held a leadership position at a prominent multinational corporation, where he led the Utility division. His contributions were instrumental in enhancing utility reliability metrics, particularly during periods of planned and unplanned outages.

Dave brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the table, making him a valuable asset in navigating the complex landscape of utility and microgrid development.

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David Bell
Vice President of Data Center and MicroGrid Development, VoltaGrid

Future-Proofs your Data Center - Supporting all Densities as Computing Demands Evolve

When: Wednesday, April 16 | 8:30 am - 9:45 am
Location: Ballroom A/B - 3rd Floor

DDC Future-Proofs your Data Center - Supporting all Densities as Computing Demands Evolve

The rapid evolution of data center demands is reshaping the industry. Operators must balance the support of legacy IT infrastructure with the exponential growth of high-performance and high-density hardware deployments. According to a recent study by Intersect360, 95% of large-scale corporations have allocated budgets for HPC and AI deployments. This shift underscores a critical challenge: the traditional “one-size-fits-all” data center model is no longer viable.

A new approach is required - one that seamlessly accommodates varying power densities, integrates into both greenfield and retrofit environments, and enhances efficiency while mitigating operational risks. In this session, discover how DDC Solutions’ modular S-Series cabinet technology and dynamic management software enables data centers to future-proof its operations to support up to 600kW cooling. Learn how this groundbreaking solution reduced construction and operational costs while supporting hundreds of hosted cabinets ranging in density.

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