How to surf the data waves without getting swamped

Published regularly throughout the year, Transform looks at how digital technology is re-shaping the present, while giving readers a glimpse of the future.

In this edition:

Unlocking data in the ice

Jiaojiao Hu, founder of the environmental NGO Polar Hub, was inspired to study glaciers after her husband, a glaciologist, survived a near-fatal fall into an unexpected meltwater lake in the Himalayas.

The incident highlighted the urgency of understanding how climate change is affecting the polar ice caps. Polar Hub now focuses on extracting ice cores—layered ice samples that act as natural climate archives because they contain vital data on past atmospheric conditions.

Hu describes glaciers as “the Earth’s memory, and her diary through time.” But with China’s glaciers shrinking by 26% in 60 years, preserving this data is critical. Hu calls for tech companies like Huawei to aid in data storage and AI analysis, accelerating research and policy action.

Success for the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation, she says, depends on global collaboration, funding, and public engagement to bridge the gap between science and climate action.

Read the full Transform interview with Jiaojiao Hu.

AI holds out “glittering promise” for enterprises

The rise of AI demands seamless access to vast, distributed enterprise data. That, in turn, requires advanced storage and management solutions, according to Chris Mellor, Editor and Founder of the data storage news site, Blocks and Files.

Mellor explains how hybrid computing and automated file lifecycle software help organize data across SSDs, disks, and tapes, ensuring fast retrieval while reducing costs.

“We exist in a kind of pervasive virtual data space," he says, emphasizing that cloud and mobile tech enable global data access. AI’s hunger for data—especially the data used by large language models—drives demand for high-capacity storage solutions such as Huawei’s 128TB SSDs, which save space and energy.

AI also relies on data pipelines to filter and process information for chatbots and agentic AI. Mellor says Huawei’s ability to offer end-to-end AI solutions, from chips to smart devices, positions it as a leader in the evolving AI data ecosystem.

Read the full Transform article by Chris Mellor.

AI-ready data storage is a must for all industries

Dr. Peter Zhou, President of Huawei’s Data Storage Product Line, emphasizes the growing importance of AI-ready data storage as industries seek to monetize AI. He highlights the need for advanced storage solutions to manage vast, diverse datasets, stating that “AI-ready means the lake is optimized for AI and machine learning workflows,” enabling fast access and efficient data processing.

Huawei’s AI-ready data lake supports environments like Hong Kong University’s research, where rapid data retrieval is crucial. The company’s DCS AI solution simplifies AI adoption with a one-stop toolchain, while the FlashEver business model ensures long-term investment protection through flexible, upgradeable storage.

Dr. Zhou underscores Huawei’s commitment to innovation, ensuring storage systems can handle the expanding demand for warm data and fuel AI’s industry-wide adoption.

Read the full Transform article by Dr. Peter Zhou.

Looking ahead to a Flashy future

Andrew Buss, Senior Research Director at IDC EMEA, highlights how digital leaders are leveraging AI for competitive advantage, with 30% already deploying GenAI at scale compared to just 5% of mainstream companies.

He emphasizes that successful AI requires real-time data access. “We can't store absolutely everything,” he says, “but we need to store most of it.” He also notes that, although many firms start AI proofs-of-concept in public clouds, regulatory and cost concerns are driving a shift toward private IT infrastructure. 

Buss warns that siloed systems create “a single glass of pain,” rather than a single pane of glass – i.e., unified management – and he urges companies to use advanced automation for scalable AI operations.

Energy demands are soaring as well, with AI data centers consuming 10x more power. Buss advocates for all-flash storage in the future, citing its declining cost, superior performance, and necessity for large language models and resilient backups. The transition to flash, he argues, is critical for agility in an AI-driven era.

Read the full Transform article by Andrew Buss.

Data, data everywhere

Nadir Altmisdort, Technology Solutions Director at KoçSistem, discusses Türkiye’s digital transformation through advanced storage solutions.

“Like water, data is abundant, and it enables growth and innovation when harnessed effectively,” he says.

As AI drives exponential data growth, KoçSistem has partnered with Huawei to deploy high-performance OceanStor Dorado systems, achieving 400K IOPS with latency below one millisecond – necessary for critical workloads. 

Altmisdort highlights flash storage as essential for low-latency AI applications, with intelligent storage systems being the next frontier. While adoption varies across sectors, he stresses that industries like healthcare and finance “depend on complete and trusted data” for compliance and decision-making.

The KoçSistem-Huawei alliance continues to innovate, supporting Türkiye’s digital future through reliable, scalable infrastructure. 

Read the full Transform interview with Nadir Altmisdort.

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