30 July 2026, Farnborough, UK – More than 40 students from the Good Future Foundation’s AI summer school visited Datum Datacentres’ Farnborough site to explore the critical digital infrastructure that underpins modern learning, AI tools and online services. The visit gave students a rare opportunity to see a data centre in action and understand the hidden systems that make every day digital activity possible.
During the visit, students were introduced to the role of data centres in supporting the digital economy, as well as the human expertise required to operate secure, resilient and efficient facilities. The session also highlighted how modern data centre services can be delivered with sustainability in mind, helping students connect the rapid growth of digital technologies with the need for responsible infrastructure.
Alan Braithwaite, Data Centre Operations Manager at Datum Datacentres said: "Young people interested in the digital world are often familiar with the software, apps and AI tools they use every day, but may be less aware of the physical infrastructure that makes those services possible. Visits like this help bring that infrastructure to life. Data centres are essential to modern learning, communication and innovation, and we believe it is important for the next generation to understand the role they play - not only technically, but also in terms of security, resilience and sustainability."
Daniel Emmerson, Executive Director at Good Future Foundation said: "This visit was really valuable for our students; they learned so much about the infrastructure, energy, people and security behind the tech that they use. Seeing a live data centre environment gives students a much broader appreciation of how digital services are delivered and the range of careers available in the technology sector."
The visit forms part of Datum Datacentres’ wider commitment to community involvement and education. The company maintains close ties with local education providers and recently hosted three T Level students for a nine-week placement, two of whom are now being retained for apprenticeships.
About Datum Datacentres
Datum Datacentres provides enterprise grade colocation through its network of sustainable, carrier neutral data centres. A platform for digital transformation, the firm works with its ecosystem of partners to provide solutions that support long-term business growth whilst helping clients to achieve their ESG goals. The Datum Group’s data centre portfolio consists of three built and operational data centres (FRN1 in Farnborough, MCR1 and MCR2 in Manchester), with one further facility currently under construction (FRN2). The firm’s secure and resilient facilities are trusted by an impressive and growing client list of organisations from the private and public sectors, serving vertical markets from finance and insurance through IT security services, defence, and engineering, and including companies from the FTSE 250 and Fortune 500. www.datum.co.uk
About Good Future Foundation
Good Future Foundation is a UK-registered charity that helps schools respond to the opportunities and challenges of AI. Working directly with educators, GFF offers a range of free support including the AI Quality Mark to guide schools on responsible AI implementation, alongside in-person professional development and an online teacher community. GFF also runs an annual fully funded AI Summer School for young people aged 14–17, giving the next generation the knowledge and confidence to engage with AI critically and responsibly. https://www.goodfuture.foundation/
Media enquiries:
Renie Shaw
Marketing Manager
irene.shaw@datum.co.uk
T: +44 (0)333 202 3195
