BlackRock Nears $40 Billion Data Center Deal in Bet on AI - Bloomberg

BlackRock Nears $40 Billion Data Center Deal in Bet on AI - Bloomberg

BlackRock, the world's largest asset manager, is close to completing a significant acquisition that underscores its strategic bet on artificial intelligence (AI) and data centers. According to sources familiar with the matter, BlackRock-owned Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) is in late-stage talks to acquire Aligned Data Centers for approximately $40 billion . This deal would be among the year’s top five globally and highlights the growing investment in the digital backbone of AI. Aligned Data Centers, a Macquarie-backed operator with over 100 facilities running or planned across the Americas, has become a prime beneficiary of the AI buildout. The acquisition, if finalized, would be GIP’s boldest bet yet, reflecting its belief in the sustained demand for data center infrastructure driven by AI's increasing appetite for space and power. The deal also involves MGX, an AI infrastructure fund tied to Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala, adding another heavyweight to the investment rush. The acquisition comes amidst a speculative boom in AI-related investments, with investors pouring capital into Nvidia chips, startup unicorns like OpenAI, and data centers. The potential acquisition underscores the fast-moving nature of the AI market. Governments are expediting approvals, and tech giants such as Meta and Oracle are raising tens of billions to build new data centers. Despite warnings of a potential bubble, the land grab shows no signs of slowing. BlackRock’s investment in AI infrastructure aligns with its broader strategy to diversify its investment portfolio and capitalize on the growing demand for data center services. The deal would further solidify GIP’s position in the market, making it a significant player in the AI data center space.