TLDR: DE-CIX, a leading Internet Exchange operator, has launched the world’s first fully-integrated AI Internet Exchange (AI-IX). This innovative platform is designed to provide high-performance, low-latency, and secure interconnection specifically for artificial intelligence applications, addressing the escalating global demand for AI-powered services. The AI-IX is already operational in Frankfurt and is being rolled out across all DE-CIX locations worldwide, including Mumbai, India. It aims to support both AI model training and inference, with future phases enabling distributed AI model training through Ultra-Ethernet readiness.
Frankfurt, Germany – September 4, 2025 – DE-CIX, a global leader in Internet Exchange operations, today announced the launch of the world’s first fully-integrated AI Internet Exchange (AI-IX). This groundbreaking platform is engineered to meet the surging demand for high-performance interconnection crucial for artificial intelligence applications, encompassing both AI model training and inference. The AI-IX is currently live at Europe’s largest Internet Exchange in Frankfurt and is slated for a global rollout, including key locations such as Mumbai, India, which hosts the country’s largest interconnection platform.
The new AI-IX is poised to redefine digital infrastructure for the AI era. According to DE-CIX, the rise of millions of AI models, smart devices, and next-generation transmission technologies necessitates secure, high-performance interconnection. The platform ensures seamless communication between AI agents across various clouds, networks, and data centers, providing a robust foundation for AI-driven applications like autonomous vehicles, industrial robots, digital twins, and smart cities. Key features include direct connection to over 50 AI networks and 160+ cloud on-ramps, adaptive and highly scalable multi-AI routing for agentive AI use cases, and ultra-low-latency, secure, and highly reliable AI inference. The infrastructure integrates fiber, 5G Advanced, and LEO satellite network technology to deliver a comprehensive solution.
Ivo Ivanov, CEO of DE-CIX, emphasized the critical need for such a platform, stating, “With various predictions made for millions, even hundreds of millions, of AI agents in the coming years, the need for interconnection services to support their operations is growing massively.” He further added that “direct interconnection is essential for enterprises to exploit AI’s potential in sectors such as robotics, autonomous vehicles, and real-time analytics.”
The rollout of the AI-IX is planned in phases. The initial phase has already seen more than 50 AI-relevant networks, including GPU and inference service providers, connected to ensure resilient and low-latency connectivity. Looking ahead, phase two will introduce Ultra-Ethernet readiness, a significant advancement that will enable distributed AI model training. This capability is expected to reduce the current dependence on massive centralized data centers by allowing AI training to occur across metropolitan areas, fostering a more decentralized and resilient AI infrastructure.
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Dr. Thomas King, CTO of DE-CIX, elaborated on this vision: “Until now, huge centralized data centers have been needed to quickly process AI computing loads on parallel clusters. Ultra Ethernet is driving the trend towards disaggregated computing, enabling more cost-effective and resilient AI infrastructure.” He concluded that both phases combined will establish DE-CIX as the pioneering operator capable of supporting AI inference and training at a global scale, marking a pivotal moment in the evolution of AI infrastructure.
