AI's Next Bottleneck Isn't Hardware -- It's Efficiency. Here's the Stock to Watch.

The build-out of artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure is increasingly running into an energy constraint that is far more challenging than the chip supply problem. In fact, Gartner estimates that data center electricity consumption will grow from about 448 terawatt-hours (TWh) in 2025 to roughly 980 TWh by 2030. Crucially, AI-optimized servers are expected to have accounted for around 21% of total data center electricity usage in 2025, a share that could climb to 44% in 2030 as AI workloads scale.

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Since most of the electricity consumed by AI chips is ultimately converted into heat, data centers require cooling systems to bolster efficiency by preventing heat-induced hardware damage, performance degradation, and system failures. Hence, thermal management has become just as critical as power delivery in modern AI data centers.

Against this backdrop, here's how Vertiv (NYSE: VRT) helps data centers efficiently run complex AI workloads.

A stock worth checking out

Global data center capital expenditures (capex) jumped 59% in the third quarter of 2025, according to one estimate, while the direct liquid cooling market expanded 85%.

Vertiv stands to benefit significantly from these trends, as it provides critical power distribution and management systems, thermal management solutions, data center racks, and software services that enable data centers to run increasingly complex and power-intensive AI workloads.

Vertiv's recent financial results have been strong. In the third quarter, the company's revenue rose 29% year over year to $2.68 billion, while adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) soared 63% to $1.24. The company reported a book-to-bill ratio (orders received compared to orders invoiced) of 1.4, with orders up 60% year over year, in the third quarter. Vertiv also exited the third quarter with a $9.5 billion backlog, up 30% year over year, providing strong revenue visibility into 2026 and cushioning it from macroeconomic volatility.

Vertiv also expects its services platform, which integrates remote monitoring, predictive analytics, thermal mapping, power quality analysis, and energy optimization, to benefit dramatically as data center racks become denser and systems more complex.

The company's recent $1 billion acquisition of fluid management specialist PurgeRite, has further strengthened Vertiv's thermal management portfolio. PurgeRite specializes in flushing, purging, and filtration of liquid-cooling systems, which are essential services to maintain system performance and uptime in data servers with high-density AI racks.

Vertiv is focused on strengthening its presence in international markets. The company is expanding its manufacturing capacity in Asia by building a new factory in Johor, Malaysia. Expected to become fully operational in the first quarter of 2026, this factory should shorten lead times for hyperscalers building AI-ready, high-density infrastructure.

Vertiv is playing a crucial role in handling AI's next energy and efficiency bottleneck. The company trades at roughly 33 times forward earnings estimates, which is not cheap at first glance. However, considering its order backlog, high revenue visibility, and opportunity for services business, the valuation seems justified.

Manali Pradhan, CFA has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.