North American data center absorption reached 25 GW in the first half of 2026, doubling the year-earlier level and quintupling H1 2024 figures. Over 66 GW is currently under construction, yet vacancy remains at a record low of 1% as hyperscalers and AI firms prelease new capacity, according to JLL and CBRE data. This surge in demand, driven by AI infrastructure, is redrawing the industry's development map, with 77% of the construction pipeline now concentrated in frontier markets like Texas, Ohio, Louisiana, and the Carolinas, up from 64% in H2 2025. Established hubs like Northern Virginia are seeing development slow due to power constraints and land limitations.