From small-town Texas to the race for gigawatt-scale power, industry leaders reveal the strategies and constraints shaping data centre growth in 2026.

James Grice, chair, data centre and digital infrastructure practice – Akerman LLP (chairperson)
Doug Recker, founder/president – Duos Edge AI and Duos Technologies Group
Scott Willis, CEO – DARTPOINTS
Josh Rudin, member – Mintz
Fred Bayles, vice president, corporate development – Cologix

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The data centre industry has never moved faster – or faced more pressure. At Metro Connect 2026, a panel of experts gathered to discuss where the next wave of deployment is heading, what is holding it back, and why the enterprise edge market may be the smartest bet in an era of runaway hyperscale ambition.

The conversation, chaired by James Grice of Akerman LLP, brought together Fred Bayles of Cologix, Scott Willis of DARTPOINTS, and Doug Recker of Duos Edge AI.