Power On: Applied Digital’s First AI Data Center Goes Live

Core Insights - Shares of Applied Digital (NASDAQ: APLD) increased by 12.8% on November 24, driven by the announcement that its first 100-megawatt (MW) building at the Polaris Forge 1 campus in North Dakota is Ready for Service (RFS) [3][4] - The RFS designation signifies the transition of a construction project into a functional asset, paving the way for long-term lease revenue from high-performance computers (HPC) [4] - The energization of the North Dakota campus highlights the company's capability to execute complex AI infrastructure projects and secure multi-year leases with major AI clients, ensuring predictable future revenue streams [6] Industry Context - The AI revolution has shifted the technology supply chain, revealing a new bottleneck: the lack of specialized data centers capable of handling high power loads and dissipating heat from numerous chips [5][7] - Hyperscalers are expected to invest over $350 billion in AI infrastructure by 2025, while the nation faces a power shortfall for data centers exceeding 90 gigawatts, indicating a significant demand for AI infrastructure [8] - Applied Digital's business model positions it as a critical supplier in the AI infrastructure landscape, akin to a "picks and shovels" play during the AI gold rush [8]