The AI Infrastructure Partnership, comprising Nvidia, Blackrock, Microsoft, and xAI, has made a significant move by acquiring Aligned Data Centers based in Texas for a whopping $40 billion. This strategic deal aims to enhance AI infrastructure capabilities and support the future advancements in artificial intelligence technology.
“By investing in Aligned Data Centers, we are taking a step closer to providing the essential infrastructure needed to drive the evolution of AI,” stated Larry Fink, CEO of BlackRock, emphasizing the importance of this acquisition in propelling AI innovation.
Aligned Data Centers, with its widespread presence across the US and Latin America, boasts 50 data center sites and a capacity of 5 GW, making it one of the largest data center providers globally.
In response to the surging demand for AI capabilities, major tech giants have been investing billions to secure sufficient data center resources. According to UBS, global AI investment is projected to reach $375 billion by 2025 and could soar to $500 billion by 2026.
Andrew Schaap, CEO of Aligned Data Centers, expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership with the consortium, stating that it will accelerate their mission to drive the infrastructure supporting the digital economy of the future.
Steven Dickens, CEO of HyperFrame Research, highlighted the rapid infrastructure expansion within the industry, comparing it to the era of building railroads. He anticipates more such transformative deals in the near future.
Established in 2024, the AI Infrastructure Partnership is dedicated to accelerating investments in cutting-edge AI infrastructure. This acquisition of Aligned Data Centers marks a significant milestone for the group and is slated to be finalized in the first half of 2026.
