Building the Autonomous Data Center: A Journey from Automation to Intelligence

By Jagat Ram, Head – Data Center Operation and Delivery, L&T

Automation is no longer a futuristic concept—it’s a necessity for modern data centers. As we manage increasingly complex infrastructures across multiple locations, power densities, and technologies like liquid cooling, the need for intelligent automation has never been greater.

At L&T, and across the industry, we’re witnessing a shift from manual oversight to autonomous systems capable of self-optimization and self-healing. This transformation, however, must be approached in a structured and strategic manner.

The Three Layers of Automation

When we look at automation opportunities in data centers, I see three core layers where technology can make a transformative difference:

Operational Layer: This is where we manage day-to-day operations—monitoring systems, analyzing performance, and ensuring uptime. Automation here can drive consistency, efficiency, and faster response to anomalies.

Infrastructure Layer: Covering servers, storage, power, and cooling systems, this ...