Issue Scenario: computing orchestrates outward from the edge and cloud becomes coordination

Summary

One of NTT DATA's future scenarios for informed infrastructure imagines edge-first design replacing cloud-first thinking. In this scenario, computing is organised starting from edge devices and working inward. The cloud would then act mainly as a coordination layer rather than the place where most computation happens. This would reverse the prevailing pattern in which centralised data centres do the heavy lifting. The report raises two main uncertainties, namely whether orchestration intelligence will mature enough for edge-optimised chips to replace centralised GPU computing in most real-time decisions, and whether organisations will embrace distributed orchestration or fear losing control. The outcome would reshape where computing investment is concentrated.