How to Build an AI-Ready Infrastructure, like a Neocloud

What every organisational leader needs to know about building AI-ready infrastructure

AI is changing the rules for infrastructure.

Traditional cloud models still have their place. They’ve helped organisations scale quickly, stay agile, and access global infrastructure on demand. But the needs of AI workloads are shifting the game.

A new breed of cloud provider, the Neocloud, is emerging to meet these demands head-on. Neoclouds are showing how to build smarter, move faster, and operate more efficiently in the AI era, where performance, proximity, and power density matter more than ever.

They’re not replacing traditional clouds; they’re redefining what cloud infrastructure looks like when it’s purpose-built for AI.

But Neoclouds aren’t just for hyperscalers or startups with deep technical teams.

Their design principles are relevant to any organisation serious about using AI from enterprises with growing machine learning teams to public sector agencies exploring sovereign, scalable GPU capability.

In this article, we’ll break down what it means to “build like a Neocloud” in clear, accessible terms for CIOs, CTOs, and anyone curious about future-ready infrastructure.

To build this kind of infrastructure, there are a few guiding principles worth considering, inspired by how Neoclouds are reimagining what modern data centre environments should look like.

In this article, we explore:

• Start With the Workload — Then Design for It 
• Build for Scalability Without Overbuilding
• Choose Locations That Serve Performance and Policy
• Simplify Access and Remove Friction
• Make Sustainability a Core Design Principle

You can navigate directly to the topic that matters most to you or read on to explore the full picture.

First, a Quick Refresher: What Is a Neocloud?

Neoclouds are specialist cloud providers built specifically for AI workloads.

Unlike traditional cloud giants that offer hundreds of general-purpose services, Neoclouds focus on one thing: giving organisations on-demand access to powerful GPUs to train and run AI models at scale.

They’re fast, flexible, and purpose-built for AI developers, data scientists, and organisations launching GPU-intensive products often offering simpler pricing, faster deployment, and performance optimised for AI.

And even if your organisation isn’t becoming a Neocloud, you can still adopt their mindset. Let’s explore how.

1. Start With the Workload — Then Design for It

Neoclouds don’t build infrastructure “just in case.”

They build around the AI workloads they’re designed to support — whether that’s large language models, generative media, or real-time inference.

That means choosing:

• High-density racks that can support modern GPUs
• Purpose-built cooling systems that match thermal needs
• Networking architectures that minimises latency between processors

NEXTDC is preparing for what’s next, with designs underway for direct-to-chip liquid cooling systems capable of supporting up to 600kW per rack — purpose-built for the future of AI infrastructure.

 For CIOs and CTOs: Start by asking, What will my AI workloads demand in 12–24 months? Design your data centre strategy around that, not just your current needs.

2. Build for Scalability Without Overbuilding

In traditional cloud environments, scaling often means overbuilding, spinning up infrastructure “just in case” and hoping it gets used.

Neoclouds flip this model. They scale only when needed, and only where it makes sense.

That means:

• Zoned power and cooling that activate as usage grows

• GPU orchestration that ensures hardware isn’t sitting idle

• Modular design, so infrastructure expands block by block, not in costly, oversized chunks

Think of it like AI infrastructure with a throttle, not an on/off switch.
You don’t flood the system with power and capacity, you dial it up as the workload grows.

Why it matters: In AI, unused infrastructure isn’t just wasted, it’s expensive, energy-intensive, and often outdated by the time it’s needed. Neocloud thinking keeps your footprint lean, your GPUs fully utilised, and your spend aligned with actual demand.

For organisational leaders: This approach means more than just efficiency, it gives you the control to scale with confidence, without overcommitting capital or cooling half-empty racks.

3. Choose Locations That Serve Performance and Policy

Where your AI infrastructure lives isn’t just a technical choice it’s a competitive one.

Latency, compliance, and sustainability are all shaped by location.

Neoclouds choose their sites based on a strategic mix of:

• Low latency — to support real-time AI inference and responsive user experiences

• Data sovereignty — to meet regulatory requirements across sectors and borders

• Energy resilience and sustainability — to ensure reliable, scalable, and environmentally aligned operations

Whether you're a local enterprise or a global organisation expanding into Australia, NEXTDC’s nationwide footprint gives you the ability to deploy GPU infrastructure in strategic locations — close to users, government networks, and edge ecosystems, all within sovereign, high-performance environments.

 For CIOs and infrastructure leaders: location strategy is no longer just about geography, it's about aligning with regulations, latency demands, and AI infrastructure expectations from day one.

4. Simplify Access and Remove Friction

One of the big reasons Neoclouds are gaining popularity. They’re easy to work with.

Unlike traditional cloud platforms that can feel overwhelming or slow, Neoclouds are designed to help teams move quickly and stay focused on what matters — building and running AI.

They make things simple by offering:

• Straightforward pricing — like paying per GPU, per hour, so you know exactly what you’re spending

• Clean, user-friendly dashboards — so your teams can self-serve infrastructure without relying on support tickets

• AI-aware support teams — who understand how AI workloads behave, and how to get the most from your GPUs

For organisational leaders: This isn’t just about infrastructure, it’s about removing barriers that slow your teams down.

If your AI projects are getting delayed because of slow provisioning, complex processes, or surprise costs, you’re not moving at the speed your business or customers expect.

The Neocloud mindset: Design infrastructure access like a great product — one that’s fast, predictable, and easy to use for everyone involved.

5. Make Sustainability a Core Design Principle

AI infrastructure doesn’t just need to be powerful, it needs to be responsible.

As AI adoption scales globally, so does the energy required to power it. Neoclouds and forward-thinking organisations are rethinking how they build and run infrastructure to minimise environmental impact without compromising performance.

This includes:

• Prioritising low-carbon energy sources

• Investing in more efficient cooling, like liquid and immersion systems

• Designing infrastructure with energy efficiency at the core, not as an afterthought

At NEXTDC, we’re committed to building a more sustainable digital future. That means designing data centres that operate more efficiently, reducing emissions across our operations, and exploring opportunities to support net-zero and clean energy outcomes.

We're not just following sustainability trends — we’re helping shape them.

For boards and organisational leaders: The infrastructure decisions you make today will define your climate impact tomorrow. The right AI platform helps you deliver performance and progress toward your sustainability goals.

Real Example: SharonAI Builds the Right Way

SharonAI, a GPU cloud startup, launched its business using NEXTDC’s AI-optimised infrastructure, built to scale, ready for AI, and certified by NVIDIA.

Rather than starting from the ground up, SharonAI:

Chose NEXTDC, a NVIDIA DGX-Ready certified data centre provider, ensuring their environment could support high-density, GPU-intensive workloads

 Avoided the time and cost of building their own data centre

Delivered GPU-as-a-Service with low latency, resilient power, and advanced cooling

 Scaled with demand, using sovereign infrastructure designed specifically for AI

Partnered with NEXTDC to accelerate time-to-market with high-performance, ready-built infrastructure

This approach reflects the message from NVIDIA GTC — that AI needs purpose-built environments, not retrofitted legacy infrastructure.

SharonAI moved fast, scaled smart, and built right — just like a Neo Cloud should.

Key Takeaways

NEXTDC: Your Partner for AI-First Infrastructure

Whether you're launching a Neocloud or building infrastructure to support AI, NEXTDC helps you scale with confidence:

Tier IV and sovereign-certified data centres in every major capital city, strategically located near population hubs

Rack densities of up to 600kW (designs in progress)

Certified as a NVIDIA DGX-Ready Data Centre, built to support high-performance, GPU-intensive AI workloads

 AI-optimised power and cooling architecture

High-performance connectivity to cloud platforms, networks, and GPU ecosystems

Let’s Build What’s Next — Together

From scaling AI to launching Neocloud platforms, NEXTDC delivers the high-performance environments that power the world’s most innovative organisations.

Whether you're building next-gen infrastructure or modernising what you already have, we provide future-ready data centre solutions designed for speed, scale, and certainty.

We’ve partnered with global leaders and emerging disruptors alike — and we’re ready to support your next step, wherever it takes you.

Connect with our team to explore what’s possible.