Macquarie’s chief executive Shemara Wikramanayake expects investments in data centres will drive huge returns for the asset manager, as the world’s biggest technology companies consume more information to feed artificial intelligence applications.

Data centres, such as runaway success AirTrunk, require “huge amounts of energy” and capital to drive business development strategies, while keeping up with consumers’ increased household consumption, Ms Wikramanayake said. The AI phenomenon has already arrived at the world’s biggest tech companies, and will make its way to other sectors.