Tech Giants and Investment Firms Join Forces in $40 Billion AI Data Center Acquisition

Groups including BlackRock, Microsoft, Nvidia, and xAI join forces to acquire Aligned Data Centers -- $40B deal delivers 5GW of operational and planned data center capacity

Asset management firm BlackRock has joined forces with Microsoft, Nvidia, and xAI to purchase Aligned Data Centers (Aligned) through an investment consortium called the Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure Partnership (AIP). Aligned is one of the largest data center companies in the world, having a total of planned and operational capacity of 5GW spread across 50 campuses. According to the company, the data center operator is present globally, including sites in Northern Virginia, Chicago, Dallas, Ohio, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Sao Paulo (Brazil), Queretaro (Mexico), and Santiago (Chile). Aside from AIP, other partners in the deal also included MGX, an AI investment firm owned and funded by the Abu Dhabi government in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), BlackRock subsidiary Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), the Kuwait Investment Authority, and Temasek, a state-owned investment company owned by the Singapore Minister for Finance. These investments show how state-owned funds are interested in diving into artificial intelligence, either through their own infrastructure, like the Stargate AI project in the UAE, or through monetary contributions to projects like these. Other companies, like Cisco Systems, GE Vernova, and Next Era Energy, are also part of the partnership as technology and power providers. But what's more interesting is how some of the biggest names in AI joined together to form AIP. BlackRock, GIP, Microsoft, and MGX founded the partnership in September 2024, with Nvidia and xAI joining later. Even though it took more than a year for the group to make its first purchase, it's a massive one -- the deal is expected to cost $40 billion, making it one of the most expensive data center purchases in history. This combination of capital and technical expertise would help Aligned stay ahead in the global AI race. "Partnering with the Consortium will accelerate our mission to deliver the infrastructure powering tomorrow's digital economy," Aligned Data Centers CEO Andrew Schaap said. "With AIP, MGX, and GIP's global reach, extensive resources, and deep expertise across AI, energy, and finance, we are poised to scale faster, innovate further, and redefine what's possible in sustainable data center infrastructure." AIP expects to complete the deal by the first half of 2026, provided it passes regulatory oversight.

AI Infrastructure Partnership inks $40B deal for DC outfit

More air for the AI bubble, courtesy of firms including xAI, BlackRock The AI bubble just keeps getting bigger. A consortium featuring BlackRock, Microsoft, Nvidia, xAI, and MGX is buying Aligned Data Centers in a deal valuing the operator at around $40 billion, in what is reportedly the biggest datacenter acquisition to date. US-based Aligned Data Centers, currently owned by Macquarie Asset Management, is being sold to a consortium led through the AI Infrastructure Partnership (AIP) - a group formed last year by BlackRock, its Global Infrastructure Partners unit, Abu Dhabi's state-backed MGX, and Microsoft, later joined by Nvidia, Elon Musk's xAI, the Kuwait Investment Authority, and Singapore's Temasek. ADC's portfolio includes 50 datacenters in North and South America amounting to 5 GW of capacity - or at least that's what it'll have once all of its planned facilities are up and running, according to Macquarie. The company said, in its press release announcing the acquisition, that ADC has grown from just two datacenters in the Dallas and Phoenix markets to 50 in only seven years under Macquarie's management. Now it'll be up to the AIP consortium to take that even further in the name of fueling the expansion of AI for its flagship tech firms, and it has some scaling to do. According to AIP's own press release on the deal, the Partnership's goal is to "accelerate investment in next-generation AI infrastructure and advance the infrastructure and innovation needed to power the future of AI," and it intends to do so by mobilizing $30 billion in equity from investors, "with the potential to reach $100 billion including debt financing." The deal is AIP's first investment, the company noted. This is just the latest in a string of high-profile deals involving AI firms snatching up computing resources, and while it may be the largest to date, it's just another indication that companies are willing to go into massive debt to fuel the AI bubble. Investment bank Goldman Sachs predicted last month that datacenter capacity is likely to surge by 50 percent in the next two years, but it tempered that growth with a note that the "frenzied atmosphere" around AI investment of late is seeing companies deploy capital in a defensive manner in a bid to prevent being left behind. OpenAI and its Stargate initiative have banked big on borrowing to fuel its growth ambitions, signing a $300 billion cloud infrastructure deal with Oracle last month that analysts predict will require Oracle to go $100 billion into debt in order to support. Elon Musk himself (through xAI), an investor in AIP, heaped scorn on OpenAI for its debt dealings, claiming shortly after OpenAI announced Stargate that none of the firms involved actually had the money they were planning to spend on the program, instead creating a revolving door of debt that sees AI investors simply trade promissory notes to fuel their ambitions. "With AIP, MGX, and GIP's global reach, extensive resources, and deep expertise across AI, energy, and finance, we are poised to scale faster, innovate further, and redefine what's possible in sustainable data center infrastructure," ADC CEO Andrew Schaap said of the deal. Let's hope for their sake the bubble doesn't burst before some of those bills come due. ®

BlackRock and Nvidia in $40bn data centre takeover to power AI growth

An investment consortium that includes BlackRock, Nvidia, xAI and Microsoft has struck a $40bn takeover of one of the world's largest data centre operators, as it launches an initiative to underwrite the infrastructure for artificial intelligence. The investment consortium, which also includes BlackRock's affiliate Global Infrastructure Partners and Abu Dhabi fund MGX, will acquire Texas-based Aligned Data Centers from Macquarie Asset Management, in its first deal since the partnership was formed a year ago. The investment group will utilise a $100bn data centre capital pool they created, called the AI Infrastructure Partnership, to combine the capabilities of large tech players and specialised investment groups. The partnership is securing the capital and high-performance semiconductors, industrial materials and energy needed to quickly build data centres as the demand for the computing power needed for AI algorithms outstrips existing capacity. The consortium's backers also include Singaporean sovereign wealth fund Temasek and the Kuwait Investment Authority. Large suppliers to data centre manufacturers such as GE Vernova, utility NextEra Energy and Cisco are also members. The partnership is hoping a combination of large investment dollars and the specialised technological skills of its members can help alleviate a scarcity of land, energy and materials needed to build large data centres for OpenAI, Google, Meta Platforms and others. The investment group has earmarked $30bn in equity and a further $70bn in debt financing to buy and build data centre companies. Its planned takeover of Aligned Data Centers is the first in what could be a series of large acquisitions and construction projects in the sector. The consortium plans to expand Aligned quickly in the coming years, more than doubling its 50 data centre campuses in the US and Latin America. "Together, we can address critical questions: how to design the right data centres, how to solve water and energy challenges, and how to respond to customers' needs. That's what's unique about the partnership -- it hasn't been replicated anywhere else," Adebayo Ogunlesi, co-founder of GIP, said in an interview with the Financial Times. Larry Fink, chief executive of BlackRock, told the FT the data centre partnership planned to build and lease highly specialised data centres to large technology companies, instead of such customers building the properties themselves. These projects, ultimately financed by pensioners and sovereign wealth funds, will allow tech giants to keep data centres off their balance sheets, helping them command higher stock valuations. The BlackRock founder also said Wednesday's deal was evidence of the benefits of its large acquisitions in private capital such as its $12.5bn takeover of GIP last year. "To me, this is a perfect marriage of Abu Dhabi's ecosystem and its commitment to AI, combined with the strength of BlackRock and GIP," Fink said. Ahmed Yahia Al Idrissi, chief executive of MGX, said the partnership could ultimately supply significant new data centre capacity going online in the coming years. "We very much believe that the requirements for global capacity build-out -- both from a cloud and AI perspective -- are massive. We're talking about roughly 20 gigawatts a year globally, and about half of that would be in the U.S," he said.

BlackRock, Nvidia-backed group strikes $40 billion data center deal to fuel AI boom

Oct 15 (Reuters) - An investment consortium that includes BlackRock (BLK.N), opens new tab, Nvidia (NVDA.O), opens new tab, xAI and Microsoft (MSFT.O), opens new tab will acquire Aligned Data Centers in a deal worth $40 billion, the companies said on Wednesday. The deal underscores an intensifying race to expand the costly, supply-constrained infrastructure required to power artificial intelligence technology, as companies rush to build the most sophisticated AI models. The acquisition follows a slew of mega-deals focused on securing coveted compute capacity. ChatGPT creator OpenAI has in recent weeks unveiled agreements totaling about 26 gigawatts of computing capacity, enough to power roughly 20 million U.S. homes. The investment consortium, dubbed the Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure Partnership (AIP), has an initial target of deploying $30 billion of equity capital, with the potential of reaching $100 billion, including debt. This is AIP's first investment. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2026. "With this investment in Aligned Data Centers, we further our goal of delivering the infrastructure necessary to power the future of AI, " said Larry Fink, CEO of BlackRock and chairman of AIP. AIP's anchor investors also include the Kuwait Investment Authority and Singapore's state-owned investor Temasek. Aligned designs, builds and operates data centers for the hyperscalers, neocloud and enterprises. Its portfolio includes 50 campuses and more than 5 gigawatts of operational and planned capacity, including assets under development, located across the U.S. and Latin America. Aligned will remain headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and will be led by CEO Andrew Schaap. OpenAI last week unveiled a 6-gigawatt AI chip supply deal with AMD (AMD.O), opens new tab that includes an option to buy a stake in the chipmaker, days after disclosing that Nvidia plans to invest up to $100 billion in the startup and provide it with data center systems with at least 10 gigawatts of capacity. Reporting by Arsheeya Bajwa in Bengaluru; Editing by Anil D'Silva Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab

Nvidia, Microsoft, xAI and BlackRock part of $40 billion deal for Aligned Data Centers

An Aligned data center in Northlake, Illinois, US, on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025. Nvidia, Microsoft, BlackRock and Elon Musk's xAI are part of a consortium of investors that has agreed to purchase Aligned Data Centers for $40 billion, the companies announced on Wednesday. Aligned designs and operates data centers and data campuses across North and South America, and is owned by Macquarie Asset Management. Abu Dhabi's MGX, BlackRock's Global Infrastructure Partners and members of Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure Partnership, or AIP, will acquire 100% of the company's equity, in what will be the largest global data center deal to date, according to a release. AIP was created by BlackRock, MGX, Microsoft and Nvidia in September 2024 to accelerate investment in AI infrastructure. The Kuwait Investment Authority, xAI and Temasek have joined as additional participants. The Aligned deal marks AIP's first investment and is a step toward the group's goal of deploying $30 billion of equity capital.

Group including Nvidia, BlackRock buying Aligned Data Centers in deal worth about $40 billion

A group including BlackRock, Nvidia and Microsoft is buying Aligned Data Centers in an approximately $40 billion deal in an effort to expand next-generation cloud and artificial intelligence infrastructure. The acquisition comes amid a flurry of deals in recent months involving top AI developers that are flooding the booming AI sector with resources and money, and addressing resources -- such as electricity and infrastructure -- needed to support such technology. Last week it was revealed that semiconductor maker AMD will supply its chips to artificial intelligence company OpenAI as part of an agreement to team up on building AI infrastructure. OpenAI will also get the option to buy as much as a 10% stake in AMD, according to a joint statement announcing the deal. Last month, OpenAI and Nvidia announced a $100 billion partnership that will add at least 10 gigawatts of data center computing power. Aligned's portfolio includes 50 campuses and more than 5 gigawatts of operational and planned capacity, including assets under development, mostly located across the U.S. and in Latin America. Some locations include northern Virginia; Chicago; Dallas; Ohio; Phoenix; Salt Lake City; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Queretaro, Mexico; and Santiago, Chile. Aligned, which is privately held, will continue to be led by CEO Andrew Schaap and keep its headquarters in Dallas. The transaction is the first deal for the investment consortium, which is named the Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure Partnership. The consortium has an initial target of mobilizing and deploying $30 billion of equity capital, with the potential of reaching $100 billion including debt. "AIP is positioned to meet the growing demand for the infrastructure required as AI continues to reshape the global economy," BlackRock Chairman and CEO and AIP Chairman Larry Fink said in a statement. "This partnership is bringing together leading companies and mobilizing private capital to accelerate AI innovation and drive global economic growth and productivity." The deal is expected to close in the first half of 2026. Shares of Nvidia rose more than 2% before the market open on Wednesday.

A BlackRock-led $40 billion data center deal highlights the unstoppable AI gold rush | Fortune

The deal to buy Aligned, which is is owned by Macquarie Asset Management, is being inked by the AI Infrastructure Partnership (AIP) -- a coalition formed in September 2024 by BlackRock, its infrastructure arm Global Infrastructure Partners, as well as Microsoft, Nvidia, and MGX, an AI investment firm backed by Abu Dhabi's sovereign wealth fund Mubadala. The Kuwait Investment Authority, xAI and Temasek joined as additional participants. The AIP was formed to invest up to $30 billion of equity capital in AI, data centers and energy; this is its first deal, which ranks as one of BlackRock's largest infrastructure investments to date. If completed, it would be among the largest data center transactions on record, and regardless it underscores how Wall Street is racing to claim a stake in the AI boom. Fink has rejected the idea that AI infrastructure spending represents a dangerous bubble, arguing that massive data center build-outs are essential if the U.S. is to remain the global leader. "Well, there's a bubble in investing," he said on CNBC Squawk Box yesterday. "But are we inferring a bubble means a bad thing? There is certainly a skyrocketing amount of capital being put to work. If you put it in a framework of geopolitical positioning, we as a country need these investments if we're going to be the leader in AI technology." Aligned Data Centers, which is based in Plano, Texas, was founded in 2013 to build and operate data centers for hyperscalers and cloud-computing companies. It has data centers across the U.S. -- including in Northern Virginia, Chicago, Dallas, Ohio, Phoenix, and Salt Lake City -- as well as in Mexico, Brazil, and Chile. The timing of the deal comes as big tech firms race to secure scarce land, power, and compute capacity -- the foundational resources underpinning the AI race. For example, over the past few weeks, OpenAI has announced multibillion-dollar deals with Broadcom, Nvidia, and AMD in order to lock in the computing power the company needs. "We cannot fall behind in the need to put the infrastructure together to make this revolution happen," Altman told reporters during a media event at OpenAI and Oracle's flagship 800-acre Stargate data center location in Abilene, Texas last month, where he also announced the companies will build five massive, new data center complexes across the U.S. over the next several years. OpenAI is far from alone: Microsoft has made several multibillion-dollar deals in the past two months with U.K.-based data center developer Nscale, including the announcement today of a new site in Texas that will have capacity of as much as 240 megawatts of power. Also today, Meta announced it would invest $1.5 billion in an AI data center in El Paso, Texas that could scale to 1 gigawatt, making it one of the largest planned data center campuses in the U.S. The total numbers are staggering: On a recent earnings call, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang estimated that between $3 trillion and $4 trillion will be spent on AI infrastructure by the end of the decade. And McKinsey said U.S. data center demand, driven largely by A.I., could triple by 2030, and require data centers to make nearly $7 trillion in investment to keep up.

Microsoft and Nvidia-backed AI consortium buys Aligned Data Centers for $40B - SiliconANGLE

Microsoft and Nvidia-backed AI consortium buys Aligned Data Centers for $40B An artificial intelligence infrastructure consortium led by Microsoft Corp., Nvidia Corp. and BlackRock Inc. today announced it's planning to buy Aligned Data Centers LLC in a deal valued at approximately $40 billion. It's one of the largest-ever acquisitions of data centers, designed to secure vast and highly-coveted AI computing capacity for the consortium's members. The consortium is known as the AI Infrastructure Partnership or AIP, and it was formed last year by BlackRock's Global Infrastructure Partners unit, Abu Dhabi's state-backed investment group MGX and Microsoft. Nvidia and Elon Musk's xAI Corp. joined the consortium in March, along with Singapore-based Temasek Holdings Ltd. and the Kuwait Investment Authority. Founded in 2013, Aligned Data Centers has emerged as one of the major winners of the AI infrastructure spending boom. It operates a number of colocation data centers that rent capacity to customers, and it also builds data center facilities for hyperscale and enterprise firms. It currently operates data centers in Chicago, Dallas, Phoenix, Salt Lake City and Northern Virginia, and it's building additional sites in Illinois, Maryland, Ohio and Virginia. In addition, it has a massive operation in Latin America, having acquired a company called OData in May 2023, which has facilities in Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Mexico. It's also an investor in the Canadian data center operator QScale SEC, which gives it a foothold in that country, too. All told, it operates 50 data centers globally, amounting to five gigawatts of compute capacity. In January, Aligned was boosted by a $12 billion capital injection that came from two sources - $5 billion in primary equity from its current parent company Macquarie Asset Management LLC and $7 billion in new debt commitments. Aligned's customers include the data center software company Nutanix Inc. and the information technology services provider Datto Inc. The AIP consortium said the acquisition will help it to accelerate its mission of "advancing the infrastructure and innovation needed to power the future of AI". "With AIP, MGX, and GIP's global reach, extensive resources, and deep expertise across AI, energy, and finance, we are poised to scale faster, innovate further, and redefine what's possible in sustainable data center infrastructure," said Aligned Data Centers Chief Executive Andrew Schaap. The acquisition is just the latest example of how big technology companies are funneling billions of dollars into the infrastructure required to power their AI innovations. The likes of Google LLC parent Alphabet Inc., Meta Platforms Inc., CoreWeave Inc., Oracle Corp. and Microsoft have committed to spending more than $400 billion on AI data centers this year. Meanwhile, OpenAI has partnered with Oracle and SoftBank Group Corp. on the $500 billion Stargate initiative that aims to build a cluster of data centers in the U.S. In addition, the ChatGPT maker has also struck deals with Nvidia, Advanced Micro Devices Inc. and Broadcom Inc. that may eventually be worth over $1 trillion to secure the AI accelerators needed to fill those data centers, which will have a combined capacity of around 26 gigawatts. Meta also has plans to build a number of new data centers in the U.S., including a newly announced $1.5 billion facility in Texas and a massive complex in Louisiana called "Hyperion" that's expected to provide five gigawatts of capacity when it comes fully online in 2030.

BlackRock, Nvidia-backed group buys Aligned Data Centers for $40 billion

The purchase of U.S.-based Aligned Data Centers from Australian Macquarie Asset Management on Wednesday is the first deal for the AI Infrastructure Partnership formed last year which includes Abu Dhabi-based fund MGX and Elon Musk's startup xAI among its backers. "With this investment in Aligned Data Centers, we further our goal of delivering the infrastructure necessary to power the future of AI," said BlackRock CEO Larry Fink, who also serves as the chairman of the AI Infrastructure Partnership. The acquisition is the latest in a series of big-ticket deals involving Big Tech and Silicon Valley startups that have been fueled by the boom in AI.

Group including Nvidia, BlackRock buying Aligned Data Centers in deal worth about $40 billion

A group including BlackRock, Nvidia and Microsoft is buying Aligned Data Centers in an approximately $40 billion deal in an effort to expand next-generation cloud and artificial intelligence infrastructure. The acquisition comes amid a flurry of deals in recent months involving top AI developers that are flooding the booming AI sector with resources and money, and addressing resources -- such as electricity and infrastructure -- needed to support such technology. Last week it was revealed that semiconductor maker AMD will supply its chips to artificial intelligence company OpenAI as part of an agreement to team up on building AI infrastructure. OpenAI will also get the option to buy as much as a 10% stake in AMD, according to a joint statement announcing the deal. Last month, OpenAI and Nvidia announced a $100 billion partnership that will add at least 10 gigawatts of data center computing power. Aligned's portfolio includes 50 campuses and more than 5 gigawatts of operational and planned capacity, including assets under development, mostly located across the U.S. and in Latin America. Some locations include northern Virginia; Chicago; Dallas; Ohio; Phoenix; Salt Lake City; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Queretaro, Mexico; and Santiago, Chile. Aligned, which is privately held, will continue to be led by CEO Andrew Schaap and keep its headquarters in Dallas. The transaction is the first deal for the investment consortium, which is named the Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure Partnership. The consortium has an initial target of mobilizing and deploying $30 billion of equity capital, with the potential of reaching $100 billion including debt. "AIP is positioned to meet the growing demand for the infrastructure required as AI continues to reshape the global economy," BlackRock Chairman and CEO and AIP Chairman Larry Fink said in a statement. "This partnership is bringing together leading companies and mobilizing private capital to accelerate AI innovation and drive global economic growth and productivity." The deal is expected to close in the first half of 2026. Shares of Nvidia rose more than 2% before the market open on Wednesday.

Group including Nvidia, BlackRock buying Aligned Data Centers in deal worth about $40 billion

A group including BlackRock, Nvidia and Microsoft is buying Aligned Data Centers in an approximately $40 billion deal in an effort to expand next-generation cloud and artificial intelligence infrastructure. The acquisition comes amid a flurry of deals in recent months involving top AI developers that are flooding the booming AI sector with resources and money, and addressing resources -- such as electricity and infrastructure -- needed to support such technology. Last week it was revealed that semiconductor maker AMD will supply its chips to artificial intelligence company OpenAI as part of an agreement to team up on building AI infrastructure. OpenAI will also get the option to buy as much as a 10% stake in AMD, according to a joint statement announcing the deal. Last month, OpenAI and Nvidia announced a $100 billion partnership that will add at least 10 gigawatts of data center computing power. Aligned's portfolio includes 50 campuses and more than 5 gigawatts of operational and planned capacity, including assets under development, mostly located across the U.S. and in Latin America. Some locations include northern Virginia; Chicago; Dallas; Ohio; Phoenix; Salt Lake City; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Queretaro, Mexico; and Santiago, Chile. Aligned, which is privately held, will continue to be led by CEO Andrew Schaap and keep its headquarters in Dallas. One of the sellers, Macquarie Asset Management, initially invested in Aligned in 2018. Ben Way, head of Macquarie Asset Management, said in a statement, "The scaling of Aligned Data Centers from two locations to 50 in seven years is representative of our approach to working with great companies and teams to support their rapid growth and deliver positive impact." The transaction is the first deal for the investment consortium, which is named the Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure Partnership. The consortium has an initial target of mobilizing and deploying $30 billion of equity capital, with the potential of reaching $100 billion including debt. "AIP is positioned to meet the growing demand for the infrastructure required as AI continues to reshape the global economy," BlackRock Chairman and CEO and AIP Chairman Larry Fink said in a statement. "This partnership is bringing together leading companies and mobilizing private capital to accelerate AI innovation and drive global economic growth and productivity." The deal is expected to close in the first half of 2026. Shares of Nvidia rose about 1% in morning trading.

Group Including Nvidia, BlackRock Buying Aligned Data Centers in Deal Worth About $40 Billion

A group including BlackRock, Nvidia and Microsoft is buying Aligned Data Centers in an approximately $40 billion deal in an effort to expand next-generation cloud and artificial intelligence infrastructure. The acquisition comes amid a flurry of deals in recent months involving top AI developers that are flooding the booming AI sector with resources and money, and addressing resources -- such as electricity and infrastructure -- needed to support such technology. Last week it was revealed that semiconductor maker AMD will supply its chips to artificial intelligence company OpenAI as part of an agreement to team up on building AI infrastructure. OpenAI will also get the option to buy as much as a 10% stake in AMD, according to a joint statement announcing the deal. Last month, OpenAI and Nvidia announced a $100 billion partnership that will add at least 10 gigawatts of data center computing power. Aligned's portfolio includes 50 campuses and more than 5 gigawatts of operational and planned capacity, including assets under development, mostly located across the U.S. and in Latin America. Some locations include northern Virginia; Chicago; Dallas; Ohio; Phoenix; Salt Lake City; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Queretaro, Mexico; and Santiago, Chile. Aligned, which is privately held, will continue to be led by CEO Andrew Schaap and keep its headquarters in Dallas. The transaction is the first deal for the investment consortium, which is named the Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure Partnership. The consortium has an initial target of mobilizing and deploying $30 billion of equity capital, with the potential of reaching $100 billion including debt. "AIP is positioned to meet the growing demand for the infrastructure required as AI continues to reshape the global economy," BlackRock Chairman and CEO and AIP Chairman Larry Fink said in a statement. "This partnership is bringing together leading companies and mobilizing private capital to accelerate AI innovation and drive global economic growth and productivity." The deal is expected to close in the first half of 2026. Shares of Nvidia rose more than 2% before the market open on Wednesday.

BlackRock Joins Nvidia and Microsoft in a $40 Billion Move to Secure Data Centers

The artificial intelligence sector keeps booming with yet another mega-deal. A group including BlackRock, Nvidia and Microsoft is buying Aligned Data Centers in an approximately $40 billion deal in an effort to expand next-generation cloud and artificial intelligence infrastructure. The acquisition comes amid a flurry of deals in recent months involving top AI developers that are flooding the booming AI sector with resources and money, and addressing resources -- such as electricity and infrastructure -- needed to support such technology. Last week it was revealed that semiconductor maker AMD will supply its chips to artificial intelligence company OpenAI as part of an agreement to team up on building AI infrastructure. OpenAI will also get the option to buy as much as a 10 percent stake in AMD, according to a joint statement announcing the deal. Last month, OpenAI and Nvidia announced a $100 billion partnership that will add at least 10 gigawatts of data center computing power. Aligned's portfolio includes 50 campuses and more than 5 gigawatts of operational and planned capacity, including assets under development, mostly located across the U.S. and in Latin America. Some locations include northern Virginia; Chicago; Dallas; Ohio; Phoenix; Salt Lake City; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Queretaro, Mexico; and Santiago, Chile. Aligned, which is privately held, will continue to be led by CEO Andrew Schaap and keep its headquarters in Dallas. One of the sellers, Macquarie Asset Management, initially invested in Aligned in 2018. Ben Way, head of Macquarie Asset Management, said in a statement, "The scaling of Aligned Data Centers from two locations to 50 in seven years is representative of our approach to working with great companies and teams to support their rapid growth and deliver positive impact." The transaction is the first deal for the investment consortium, which is named the Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure Partnership. The consortium has an initial target of mobilizing and deploying $30 billion of equity capital, with the potential of reaching $100 billion including debt. "AIP is positioned to meet the growing demand for the infrastructure required as AI continues to reshape the global economy," BlackRock Chairman and CEO and AIP Chairman Larry Fink said in a statement. "This partnership is bringing together leading companies and mobilizing private capital to accelerate AI innovation and drive global economic growth and productivity." The deal is expected to close in the first half of 2026. Shares of Nvidia rose about 1 percent in morning trading.

Nvidia, Microsoft, and BlackRock Just Struck a Massive AI Data Center Deal

Aligned Data Centers is one of the world's largest and fastest-growing data center firms. AI darling Nvidia just struck another big data center deal -- this time as part of a group with Microsoft, BlackRock, and others. A consortium led by BlackRock (BLK), its Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), Nvidia (NVDA), and Microsoft (MSFT) said Wednesday it would buy AI data center infrastructure company Aligned Data Centers in an agreement valued at $40 billion. Aligned Data Centers is one of the world's largest and fastest-growing data center firms, and the group said the purchase "will fuel the expansion of next-generation cloud and AI infrastructure." The deal marks the latest in a string of high-profile agreements and partnerships for AI chip leader Nvidia, and infrastructure deals for BlackRock, which has been eying energy providers as another way to ride the AI boom. BlackRock CEO and AIP Chair Larry Fink said that with the acquisition, "we further our goal of delivering the infrastructure necessary to power the future of AI, while offering our clients attractive opportunities to participate in its growth." Shares of Nvidia and Microsoft were up less than 1% in recent trading following the news, amid broader gains after a down day for the tech sector yesterday. Shares of BlackRock were little changed.

BlackRock, Nvidia-backed group strikes $40 billion data center deal to fuel AI boom - The Economic Times

The deal underscores an intensifying race to expand the costly, supply-constrained infrastructure required to power artificial intelligence technology, as companies rush to build the most sophisticated AI models.An investment consortium that includes BlackRock, Nvidia, xAI and Microsoft will acquire Aligned Data Centers in a deal worth $40 billion, the companies said on Wednesday. The deal underscores an intensifying race to expand the costly, supply-constrained infrastructure required to power artificial intelligence technology, as companies rush to build the most sophisticated AI models. The acquisition follows a slew of mega-deals focused on securing coveted compute capacity. ChatGPT creator OpenAI has in recent weeks unveiled agreements totaling about 26 gigawatts of computing capacity, enough to power roughly 20 million U.S. homes. The investment consortium, dubbed the Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure Partnership (AIP), has an initial target of deploying $30 billion of equity capital, with the potential of reaching $100 billion, including debt. This is AIP's first investment. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2026. "With this investment in Aligned Data Centers, we further our goal of delivering the infrastructure necessary to power the future of AI, " said Larry Fink, CEO of BlackRock and chairman of AIP. AIP's anchor investors also include the Kuwait Investment Authority and Singapore's state-owned investor Temasek. Aligned designs, builds and operates data centers for the hyperscalers, neocloud and enterprises. Its portfolio includes 50 campuses and more than 5 gigawatts of operational and planned capacity, including assets under development, located across the U.S. and Latin America. Aligned will remain headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and will be led by CEO Andrew Schaap. OpenAI last week unveiled a 6-gigawatt AI chip supply deal with AMD that includes an option to buy a stake in the chipmaker, days after disclosing that Nvidia plans to invest up to $100 billion in the startup and provide it with data center systems with at least 10 gigawatts of capacity.

Aligned Data Centers Set To Be Acquired For $40 Billion

Aligned Data Centers CEO Andrew Schaap says this is the first investment by this group of investors that includes MGX, BlackRock, Microsoft, Nvidia, and xAI. Aligned Data Centers is set to be acquired in a $40 billion deal backed by the Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure Partnership, a consortium of wealthy investors and technology companies including BlackRock, Microsoft and Nvidia. Aligned - which has been in business for 12 years - currently has 5 gigawatts of capacity under management and 50 data center campuses across the Americas. The company is currently owned by Macquarie Asset Management, also a heavy investor in data centers. Aligned Data Centers CEO Andrew Schaap said this is the first investment by this group of investors, which is referred to in a news release as "the consortium." The Global AI Infrastructure Investment Partnership launched in September 2024 and includes MGX, BlackRock, Microsoft, Nvidia and Elon Musk's xAI. "Over the last several years, we have accelerated innovation and expanded our footprint at breakneck speed, matched only by the pace of the AI revolution. In less than a decade, Aligned has evolved into one of the largest and fastest-growing data center companies globally," Schaap said in a LinkedIn post. Schaap will remain with the company and the firm's corporate headquarters will remain in Dallas, according to a statement. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. [RELATED: Aligned Data Centers Expands Dallas Site To Meet AI Deman d] In January, Aligned announced it won $5 billion in equity investment and $7 billion in debt commitments in a round of funding led by Macquarie. That same month, Macquarie also invested $5 billion in Applied Digital, a publicly traded data center company building capacity in North Dakota. As demand for data center space has exploded among hyperscalers and cloud service providers, Aligned has emerged as one of the leaders in providing scalable capacity. The company has leaned into providing solutions for customers that mitigate the power and heat required to operate the most powerful chips with "gigascale, build-to-scale, and multi-tenant enterprise solutions." All of those solutions leverage patented and patent-pending air, liquid, and hybrid cooling systems to deliver maximum adaptability and support evolving high-density AI workloads, even in energy-constrained regions, according to a statement. Aligned has also built a robust supply chain, completed strategic land acquisitions, and maintained power efficiency and reliability. "Partnering with AIP, MGX, and GIP will accelerate our mission to empower the digital future and position Aligned at the center of the next generation of AI infrastructure," Schaap wrote on LinkedIn. "With our new investors' global reach, extensive resources, and deep expertise, we are poised to scale faster, innovate further, and redefine what's possible in sustainable data center infrastructure." Larry Fink, chairman and CEO of BlackRock, has previously said that with data centers as the bedrock of a digital economy, the AIP partnership will unlock a "multi-trillion dollar long-term investment opportunity" that will lead to economic growth, job creation and AI technology innovation. "AIP is positioned to meet the growing demand for the infrastructure required as AI continues to reshape the global economy. This partnership is bringing together leading companies and mobilizing private capital to accelerate AI innovation and drive global economic growth and productivity," Fink said in a statement on Wednesday. "With this investment in Aligned Data Centers, we further our goal of delivering the infrastructure necessary to power the future of AI, while offering our clients attractive opportunities to participate in its growth."

Nvidia, Microsoft, and BlackRock Lead $40 Billion Takeover of Aligned Data Centers | PYMNTS.com

By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions. Aligned, which operates 50 data campuses across North and South America, has more than 5 gigawatts of operational and planned capacity. The purchase underscores the intensifying competition among major technology firms to secure infrastructure capable of supporting artificial intelligence systems and the growing computational demands of modern industries. Per CNBC, the deal involves a group of investors that includes Abu Dhabi's MGX, BlackRock's Global Infrastructure Partners, and members of the Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure Partnership (AIP). This partnership -- founded in September 2024 by BlackRock, MGX, Microsoft, and Nvidia -- aims to drive large-scale investments in AI-related infrastructure. Additional investors such as the Kuwait Investment Authority, xAI, and Temasek have since joined the initiative. Related: $100 Billion Nvidia-OpenAI Alliance Raises Antitrust Concerns The Aligned acquisition represents AIP's first major move, with the group targeting the deployment of up to $30 billion in equity capital. BlackRock CEO and AIP Chairman Larry Fink said the investment supports their goal of delivering the infrastructure required to power the future of AI while offering clients opportunities to participate in its expansion. According to CNBC, the global race to develop AI infrastructure has accelerated in recent months as companies like OpenAI, Nvidia, CoreWeave, and Oracle push to secure data center capacity and energy resources. These facilities -- critical for running large-scale AI workloads and training advanced models -- have become central to technological and economic development. The transaction is expected to close by the end of next year, pending regulatory approval and customary closing conditions.

Nvidia, BlackRock part of group acquiring data center operator in $40B deal

An investment consortium that includes BlackRock (NYSE:BLK), Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA), xAI (X.AI) and Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) has planned a $40B takeover of one of the world's largest data center operators, the Financial Times reported. The investment consortium, which includes BlackRock's affiliate Global Infrastructure The consortium aims to quickly scale data center capacity to meet growing AI demand and lease these specialized facilities to large tech companies, keeping assets off their balance sheets for better valuations. They intend to use $30B in equity and $70B in debt to execute acquisitions and rapid expansion, with plans to more than double Aligned's 50 campuses in the U.S. and Latin America. Tech companies can keep data centers off their balance sheets, improving stock valuations and allowing for focused capital allocation.

BlackRock, Nvidia-backed group strikes $40 bil. AI data center deal - The Korea Times

An investor group including BlackRock, Microsoft and Nvidia is buying one of the world's biggest data center operators with nearly 80 facilities in a deal worth $40 billion to secure coveted computing capacity for artificial intelligence. The purchase of U.S.-based Aligned Data Centers from Australian Macquarie Asset Management on Wednesday is the first deal for the AI Infrastructure Partnership formed last year which includes Abu Dhabi-based fund MGX and Elon Musk's startup xAI among its backers. "With this investment in Aligned Data Centers, we further our goal of delivering the infrastructure necessary to power the future of AI," said BlackRock CEO Larry Fink, who also serves as the chairman of the AI Infrastructure Partnership. Deals to snap up chips and infrastructure The acquisition is the latest in a series of big-ticket deals involving Big Tech and Silicon Valley startups that has been fueled by the boom in AI. Major tech companies including Alphabet, Amazon.com, Meta, Microsoft and CoreWeave, are on track to spend $400 billion on AI infrastructure this year, Morgan Stanley estimates. OpenAI, the startup at the heart of the AI boom, struck deals in recent weeks with chipmakers Nvidia, Advanced Micro Devices and Broadcom that may cost over $1 trillion to secure about 26 gigawatts of computing capacity, enough to power roughly 20 million U.S. homes. Meta Platforms is building several multi-gigawatt AI data centers, including one called Prometheus due to come online in 2026 and another, Hyperion, that can scale up to 5 gigawatts. Privately-held Aligned Data Centers currently has over 5 gigawatts of operational and planned capacity located across 50 campuses in the U.S. and Latin America. Joe Tigay, portfolio manager at Nvidia shareholder Equity Armor Investments, said the acquisition highlights the growing value of data center assets for investors. "They're looking at rapid expansion to meet AI demand and optimize for it." Spending surge as interest booms Founded in 2013, Aligned has been a big winner of the AI infrastructure spending boom, raising $12 billion in equity and debt earlier this year in one of the largest private capital injections into a data center company. Its customers include cloud-computing platform Nutanix and IT services provider Datto, according to its website. The company also has a land portfolio with access to significant near-term power capacity in key markets, said Macquarie, which first invested in the company in 2018. Shares of its publicly listed rivals, such as Applied Digital, have soared more than four-fold this year. Applied Digital shares jumped 5 percent on Wednesday. The investment group buying Aligned, which also includes Kuwait Investment Authority and Singapore state-owned investor Temasek as backers, has an initial target of deploying $30 billion of equity capital, with the potential of reaching $100 billion including debt. It has not disclosed how much each partner has contributed to the group nor the equity value of Wednesday's deal. Nvidia and Aligned declined to comment, while the investors did not immediately respond to requests seeking more details on the deal. "All the major parties in that consortium, they are showing the strength of the AI ecosystem," said Hendi Susanto, portfolio manager at Nvidia investor Gabelli Funds. Aligned will remain headquartered in Dallas, Texas, under CEO Andrew Schaap when the deal closes in the first half of 2026, the investor group said in its statement.

MGX, AIP, BlackRock's GIP to acquire Aligned Data Centers

Image: Abu Dhabi Media Office A consortium comprising MGX, the Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure Partnership (AIP), and BlackRock's Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) said on Thursday it will acquire 100 per cent of Aligned Data Centers from Macquarie Asset Management and its co-investors, in a deal valuing the company at about $40bn The transaction marks one of the largest-ever data infrastructure deals and will accelerate the build-out of next-generation cloud and AI infrastructure globally. AIP, founded by BlackRock, GIP, MGX, Microsoft, and NVIDIA, aims to expand the capacity of AI infrastructure to support the growth of AI-driven economies. Its anchor investors include the Kuwait Investment Authority and Singapore's Temasek. In under a decade, Aligned has grown into one of the fastest-expanding data centre operators worldwide, designing and managing campuses for hyperscalers, cloud providers, and enterprise clients. The company operates or has planned more than 50 campuses with over 5 gigawatts of capacity across key markets in the US and Latin America, including Northern Virginia, Dallas, Phoenix, São Paulo, Querétaro, and Santiago. Under CEO Andrew Schaap, Aligned has focused on high-density, energy-efficient data infrastructure using proprietary air, liquid, and hybrid cooling systems. The company will remain headquartered in Dallas, with Schaap and his management team continuing to lead operations. The consortium said the acquisition combines AIP's ability to mobilise capital at scale, MGX's global AI-focused investment strategy, and GIP's experience managing complex infrastructure assets. The investment will provide Aligned with capital and strategic support to expand capacity and develop sustainable, scalable digital infrastructure. "This partnership is bringing together leading companies and mobilising private capital to accelerate AI innovation and drive global economic growth," said Larry Fink, chairman and CEO of BlackRock and chairman of AIP. "With this investment in Aligned Data Centers, we further our goal of delivering the infrastructure necessary to power the future of AI." AI bringing in new era, says MGX CEO Ahmed Yahia Al Idrissi, CEO of MGX and vice chairman of AIP, said AI is ushering in a new economic era. "Computer infrastructure at scale will be foundational to that progress," he said. "Our investment in Aligned Data Centers will direct scalable capital to an operator built for efficiency and growth." Bayo Ogunlesi, chairman and CEO of GIP, said the deal will help build "the infrastructure to support innovation at scale," while Schaap said the consortium's backing will help Aligned "scale faster, innovate further, and redefine what's possible in sustainable data center infrastructure." The transaction is AIP's first investment and a cornerstone of its plan to deploy up to $30bn in equity capital, with the potential to reach $100bn including debt. It is expected to close in H1 2026, subject to regulatory approvals.

BlackRock, Microsoft, and Nvidia Lead $40 Billion Acquisition of Aligned Data Centers

BlackRock, Microsoft, Nvidia, and MGX to Buy Aligned Data Centers for $40B, Marking AIP's First Major AI Infrastructure Deal An investor consortium that includes BlackRock, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Elon Musk's xAI has agreed to acquire Aligned Data Centers in a deal valued at $40 billion. The group, which also features Abu Dhabi-based MGX, Kuwait Investment Authority, and Singapore's Temasek, will purchase the company from Macquarie Asset Management. The transaction marks one of the largest global data center acquisitions to date and is expected to close in the first half of 2026, pending regulatory approval. Aligned Data Centers is a company established in both North and South America, with a total of over 50 campuses, and its total operational and planned capacity exceeds 5 gigawatts. The company was established in 2013 and is based in Dallas, Texas, which has been fortunate enough to experience the rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure investment. Its customer base includes and IT service providers such as Nutanix and Datto. Earlier this year, Aligned raised $12 billion in equity and debt to expand its data center capacity and land portfolio.

BlackRock, Nvidia-backed AI consortium to buy Aligned Data Centers in US$40 billion deal

An investment consortium that includes BlackRock, Nvidia, xAI and Microsoft will acquire Aligned Data Centers in a deal worth US$40 billion, the companies said on Wednesday. The deal underscores an intensifying race to expand the costly, supply-constrained infrastructure required to power artificial intelligence technology, as companies rush to build the most sophisticated AI models. The acquisition follows a slew of mega-deals focused on securing coveted compute capacity. ChatGPT creator OpenAI has in recent weeks unveiled agreements totaling about 26 gigawatts of computing capacity, enough to power roughly 20 million U.S. homes. The investment consortium, dubbed the Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure Partnership (AIP), has an initial target of deploying $30 billion of equity capital, with the potential of reaching $100 billion, including debt. This is AIP's first investment. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2026. "With this investment in Aligned Data Centers, we further our goal of delivering the infrastructure necessary to power the future of AI, " said Larry Fink, CEO of BlackRock and chairman of AIP. AIP's anchor investors also include the Kuwait Investment Authority and Singapore's state-owned investor Temasek. Aligned designs, builds and operates data centers for the hyperscalers, neocloud and enterprises. Its portfolio includes 50 campuses and more than 5 gigawatts of operational and planned capacity, including assets under development, located across the U.S. and Latin America. Aligned will remain headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and will be led by CEO Andrew Schaap. OpenAI last week unveiled a six-gigawatt AI chip supply deal with AMD that includes an option to buy a stake in the chipmaker, days after disclosing that Nvidia plans to invest up to $100 billion in the startup and provide it with data center systems with at least 10 gigawatts of capacity.

BlackRock, Nvidia-backed group strikes $40B AI data center deal - The Korea Times

An investor group including BlackRock, Microsoft and Nvidia is buying one of the world's biggest data center operators with nearly 80 facilities in a deal worth $40 billion to secure coveted computing capacity for artificial intelligence. The purchase of U.S.-based Aligned Data Centers from Australian Macquarie Asset Management on Wednesday is the first deal for the AI Infrastructure Partnership formed last year which includes Abu Dhabi-based fund MGX and Elon Musk's startup xAI among its backers. "With this investment in Aligned Data Centers, we further our goal of delivering the infrastructure necessary to power the future of AI," said BlackRock CEO Larry Fink, who also serves as the chairman of the AI Infrastructure Partnership. Deals to snap up chips and infrastructure The acquisition is the latest in a series of big-ticket deals involving Big Tech and Silicon Valley startups that has been fueled by the boom in AI. Major tech companies including Alphabet, Amazon.com, Meta, Microsoft and CoreWeave, are on track to spend $400 billion on AI infrastructure this year, Morgan Stanley estimates. OpenAI, the startup at the heart of the AI boom, struck deals in recent weeks with chipmakers Nvidia, Advanced Micro Devices and Broadcom that may cost over $1 trillion to secure about 26 gigawatts of computing capacity, enough to power roughly 20 million U.S. homes. Meta Platforms is building several multi-gigawatt AI data centers, including one called Prometheus due to come online in 2026 and another, Hyperion, that can scale up to 5 gigawatts. Privately-held Aligned Data Centers currently has over 5 gigawatts of operational and planned capacity located across 50 campuses in the U.S. and Latin America. Joe Tigay, portfolio manager at Nvidia shareholder Equity Armor Investments, said the acquisition highlights the growing value of data center assets for investors. "They're looking at rapid expansion to meet AI demand and optimize for it." Spending surge as interest booms Founded in 2013, Aligned has been a big winner of the AI infrastructure spending boom, raising $12 billion in equity and debt earlier this year in one of the largest private capital injections into a data center company. Its customers include cloud-computing platform Nutanix and IT services provider Datto, according to its website. The company also has a land portfolio with access to significant near-term power capacity in key markets, said Macquarie, which first invested in the company in 2018. Shares of its publicly listed rivals, such as Applied Digital, have soared more than four-fold this year. Applied Digital shares jumped 5 percent on Wednesday. The investment group buying Aligned, which also includes Kuwait Investment Authority and Singapore state-owned investor Temasek as backers, has an initial target of deploying $30 billion of equity capital, with the potential of reaching $100 billion including debt. It has not disclosed how much each partner has contributed to the group nor the equity value of Wednesday's deal. Nvidia and Aligned declined to comment, while the investors did not immediately respond to requests seeking more details on the deal. "All the major parties in that consortium, they are showing the strength of the AI ecosystem," said Hendi Susanto, portfolio manager at Nvidia investor Gabelli Funds. Aligned will remain headquartered in Dallas, Texas, under CEO Andrew Schaap when the deal closes in the first half of 2026, the investor group said in its statement.

BlackRock, Nvidia-backed group strikes $40 bil. data center deal to fuel AI boom - The Korea Times

An investment consortium that includes BlackRock, Nvidia, xAI and Microsoft will acquire Aligned Data Centers in a deal worth $40 billion, the companies said on Wednesday. The deal underscores an intensifying race to expand the costly, supply-constrained infrastructure required to power artificial intelligence technology, as companies rush to build the most sophisticated AI models. The acquisition follows a slew of mega-deals focused on securing coveted compute capacity. ChatGPT creator OpenAI has in recent weeks unveiled agreements totaling about 26 gigawatts of computing capacity, enough to power roughly 20 million U.S. homes. The investment consortium, dubbed the Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure Partnership (AIP), has an initial target of deploying $30 billion of equity capital, with the potential of reaching $100 billion, including debt. This is AIP's first investment. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2026. "With this investment in Aligned Data Centers, we further our goal of delivering the infrastructure necessary to power the future of AI, " said Larry Fink, CEO of BlackRock and chairman of AIP. AIP's anchor investors also include the Kuwait Investment Authority and Singapore's state-owned investor Temasek. Aligned designs, builds and operates data centers for the hyperscalers, neocloud and enterprises. Its portfolio includes 50 campuses and more than 5 gigawatts of operational and planned capacity, including assets under development, located across the U.S. and Latin America. Aligned will remain headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and will be led by CEO Andrew Schaap. OpenAI last week unveiled a 6-gigawatt AI chip supply deal with AMD that includes an option to buy a stake in the chipmaker, days after disclosing that Nvidia plans to invest up to $100 billion in the startup and provide it with data center systems with at least 10 gigawatts of capacity.

Nvidia, Microsoft, xAI and BlackRock join forces for a record $40bn buyout

A consortium comprising Nvidia, Microsoft, BlackRock, and xAI, the artificial intelligence company founded by Elon Musk, has announced the acquisition of Aligned Data Centers for $40bn, marking the largest transaction ever in the global data center sector. Aligned, which was previously owned by Macquarie Asset Management, operates 50 campuses across the Americas, with a capacity exceeding 5 gigawatts. The transaction, expected to close in late 2026, remains subject to regulatory approvals. The consortium also includes MGX, the Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund, Global Infrastructure Partners (a subsidiary of BlackRock), and several members of the Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure Partnership (AIP), an alliance created in 2024 by BlackRock, MGX, Microsoft, and Nvidia to finance AI infrastructure. This acquisition is the first major transaction for AIP, which plans to deploy up to $30bn in equity capital in this area. According to BlackRock's CEO Larry Fink this investment represents a "decisive step" toward creating the infrastructure necessary for the growth of artificial intelligence. As demand for computing power reaches unprecedented levels, players such as OpenAI, Nvidia, and Oracle are ramping up plans for large-scale data centers. This consolidation illustrates the desire of tech and financial giants to secure control over critical resources in the future AI economy.

BlackRock's AI Consortium to Buy Aligned Data Centers in $40 Billion Deal

BlackRock's new artificial-intelligence infrastructure consortium agreed to acquire Aligned Data Centers from Macquarie Asset Management in a deal valuing the company at about $40 billion. The buyer group also includes Mubadala Investment's MGX and BlackRock's Global Infrastructure Partners. The companies said Wednesday the transaction ranks among the largest data-center deals ever and is expected to close in the first half of 2026, pending regulatory approvals. Dallas-based Aligned, one of the fastest-growing hyperscale data center operators in the Americas, provides infrastructure for cloud and AI companies. It operates or is developing about 50 campuses with a total of 5 gigawatts of operational and planned capacity across the region. The deal marks the first investment for the Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure Partnership, founded by BlackRock, Global Infrastructure Partners, MGX, Microsoft and Nvidia to expand the capacity of AI infrastructure and help shape the future of AI-driven economic growth. The group aims to raise as much as $100 billion in capital to expand data-center and energy infrastructure supporting AI growth. Macquarie first invested in Aligned in 2018 and expanded its stake in 2020. Under its ownership, the company grew from two sites to a continental platform, Macquarie said.

BlackRock, Nvidia-backed group strikes $40 billion AI data center deal

(Reuters) -An investor group, including BlackRock and Nvidia, will buy Aligned Data Centers from Macquarie Asset Management in a deal worth $40 billion, the companies said on Wednesday, as AI infrastructure expansion powers on. The deal underscores an intensifying race to expand the costly, supply-constrained infrastructure required to develop artificial intelligence technology, as companies rush to build sophisticated AI models. The acquisition follows a slew of mega-deals focused on securing coveted compute capacity. ChatGPT creator OpenAI has in recent weeks unveiled agreements totaling about 26 gigawatts of computing capacity, enough to power roughly 20 million U.S. homes. The investment consortium, dubbed the Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure Partnership (AIP), has an initial target of deploying $30 billion of equity capital, with the potential of reaching $100 billion, including debt. This is AIP's first investment, and the transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2026. "With this investment in Aligned Data Centers, we further our goal of delivering the infrastructure necessary to power the future of AI," said Larry Fink, CEO of BlackRock and chairman of AIP. AIP also includes xAI and Microsoft, along with the Kuwait Investment Authority and Singapore's state-owned investor Temasek as anchor investors Aligned designs, builds and operates data centers for hyperscalers, neoclouds and enterprises. Its portfolio includes 50 campuses and more than 5 gigawatts of operational and planned capacity, including assets under development, located across the U.S. and Latin America. Aligned will remain headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and will be led by CEO Andrew Schaap. HEFTY INVESTMENTS Aligned's $12 billion fundraising earlier this year was one of the largest private capital injections into a data center company. But the scale of financing required to keep pace with demand is only growing. The capital-intensive undertaking of expanding AI infrastructure has attracted hundreds of billions of dollars in investment from big tech companies, startups, private equity and infrastructure funds. OpenAI last week unveiled a 6-gigawatt AI chip supply deal with AMD that includes an option to buy a stake in the chipmaker, days after disclosing that Nvidia plans to invest up to $100 billion in the startup and provide it with data center systems with at least 10 gigawatts of capacity. Morgan Stanley estimates big cloud companies, including Alphabet, Amazon.com, Meta, Microsoft and Coreweave, are on track to spend $400 billion on AI infrastructure this year. Despite investor concerns about returns from these hefty investments, Big Tech has pledged to spend more on boosting data center capacity. Also, a recent spike in interconnected investments in the AI industry has raised questions over the circularity of the market. Nvidia, one of the key investors in recent AI deals, is also one of the biggest suppliers to the market, dominating the graphics processor industry. (Reporting by Arsheeya Bajwa in Bengaluru; Editing by Anil D'Silva)