Felipe Mendes showcases the digital infrastructure that underpins Brazil at the ESEG Tech Summit.

On August 13th, ESEG College received Felipe Mendes, Commercial Director of Equinix Brazil, for the lecture “"Digital Ecosystems, AI, and Careers: Navigating the Great Waves of Technological Transformation"”, as part of the programming of ESEG Tech Summit 2026.

Throughout the meeting, the speaker guided the students on a journey that presented the evolution of the digital infrastructure behind everyday digital activities, showing how financial transactions, online shopping, cloud services, and artificial intelligence applications depend on structures capable of processing large volumes of data continuously.

From the early days of the internet to large data centers.

To illustrate the scale of this infrastructure, Felipe started with everyday situations.

One of the examples used was Mercado Libre, which can generate [amount of data/movement]. Millions of reais in sales in just one minute. Based on these figures, the speaker led the students to reflect on the computational capacity required for a platform of this size to continue functioning even in the face of thousands of simultaneous transactions.

The students also learned more about how the works data centers in Brazil, including its internal structure, presented through photos of Equinox.

The students were able to see structures that bring together thousands of racks, equipment, and a large number of cables responsible for connecting the machines and enabling data processing and transmission.

The discussion also addressed the continuity of operations in situations such as power outages, highlighting the need to have infrastructure prepared to keep digital services running uninterrupted.

Read also: What is a Data Center?

From computing power to the cloud.

Felipe also explained to the students how the concept of came about. cloud computing, relating its evolution to the growth of e-commerce and financial transactions over the internet.

The growth of e-commerce has transformed the demand for computing power and helped drive new models of technological infrastructure.

The speaker explained to the students that companies don't always need the same computing power throughout the year. An online store, for example, might experience much higher demand during Black Friday and then see a decrease in traffic after the sales period.

Financial institutions also face specific times when they need greater capacity to process their operations.

It was in this context that the possibility of using computing power as needed gained traction. The logic presented by the speaker helps to understand how the cloud has transformed the way companies access and use technological infrastructure.

Artificial intelligence and new professional demands

Artificial intelligence was another central point of the conversation. When answering a question about technological trends that are expected to gain even more ground, Felipe cited applications such as geolocation and facial recognition, indicating how these technologies can expand their presence in different areas.

The discussion also reached the job market. According to the speaker, the results provided by artificial intelligence are so significant that companies need to keep up with this transformation and incorporate new technologies into their businesses to take advantage of the new possibilities they offer.

In this scenario, professional development becomes even more important. For Felipe, given the changes brought about by technology, it is up to professionals to seek knowledge, develop new skills, and be prepared to adapt.

The experience was considered beneficial for Davi Henzo Fernandes de Almeida, a second-semester student of Computer Engineering Department, ESEG College. "I found it extremely beneficial for us. I had many doubts, and they were all cleared up; everything he presented was completely clear to us. It's an honor to be with someone so important here at ESEG and to have this experience with you all," she said.

Data Centers and Sustainability

Another highlight of the lecture came from a question from the students about water consumption related to the operation of data centers and the expansion of artificial intelligence.

Felipe explained the systems used to cool these structures and addressed the difference between the perception of water consumption and the functioning of cooling systems. According to him, some technologies use refrigerants and condensation systems, and water consumption does not necessarily occur continuously as is often imagined.

The speaker also presented initiatives used by data center companies related to sustainability, such as rainwater harvesting, the use of solar energy, and investments aimed at reducing the environmental impact of operations.

Knowledge as preparation for the future.

At the end of the meeting, Felipe Mendes thanked... ESEG College He thanked the invitation and highlighted the importance of sharing his professional journey with the students.

When discussing the future of work, the professional highlighted that the results provided by AI have led companies to increasingly incorporate these technologies. Given this changing landscape, professional development takes on an even more relevant role. "Amidst various uncertainties, knowledge is what gives us the security of knowing we will have a career that allows us to adapt and conquer our space in the job market," stated Felipe.

Finally, he also mentioned that, in a market marked by constant transformations, the ability to learn, adapt, and seek qualifications will be fundamental for professionals to keep up with new demands.

The lecture was part of the program of ESEG Tech Summit 2026, An initiative that brings students closer to professionals and market experts to discuss the transformations shaping technology, business, and careers.