Introduction
A consortium of major investors has agreed to acquire Aligned Data Centers for $40 billion, marking the largest global data center deal to date. Nvidia, Microsoft, BlackRock, and xAI, alongside strategic partners, are poised to reshape AI infrastructure worldwide. This agreement reflects the tech industry's race to build the computational foundation necessary to support exponential AI growth.
The Consortium Acquiring Aligned
The acquisition involves a consortium comprising MGX (Abu Dhabi), BlackRock's Global Infrastructure Partners, and the Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure Partnership (AIP). AIP, founded in September 2024 by BlackRock, MGX, Microsoft, and Nvidia, was created specifically to accelerate AI infrastructure investments. Additional participants include the Kuwait Investment Authority, xAI led by Elon Musk, and Temasek.
Aligned Data Centers: A Strategic Asset
Aligned designs and operates data centers and data campuses across North and South America, with over 5 gigawatts of operational and planned capacity. Currently operating 50 campuses and owned by Macquarie Asset Management, this infrastructure is critical for processing complex AI workloads and training next-generation models.
"With this investment in Aligned Data Centers, we advance our goal of delivering the infrastructure necessary to power the future of AI, offering our clients attractive opportunities to participate in its growth."
Larry Fink, CEO of BlackRock and Chairman of AIP
The Global Race for AI Infrastructure
This deal reflects intense competition among tech leaders to secure computational resources. OpenAI, Nvidia, CoreWeave, and Oracle are striking ambitious data center and computing agreements requiring unprecedented funding and energy consumption. AI infrastructure demand grows rapidly, driven by widespread adoption of language models and enterprise AI applications.
Transaction Details
- Value: $40 billion for 100% equity stake
- Seller: Macquarie Asset Management
- Buyers: Consortium led by MGX, BlackRock GIP, and AIP
- Aligned Capacity: 50 campuses with 5+ gigawatts operational and planned
- Expected Closing: Late 2025, subject to regulatory approvals
AIP's First Investment and Future Strategy
The Aligned acquisition marks AIP's inaugural investment and a significant step toward deploying $30 billion in capital. This signals the consortium's commitment to positioning AI infrastructure as a cornerstone asset in the global technology landscape. The transaction underscores how leading financial and tech players recognize infrastructure's decisive role in next-generation AI competition.
Regulatory Context and Timeline
The deal remains subject to regulatory approvals and standard closing conditions, with completion expected in late 2025. This timeline allows the consortium to conduct thorough due diligence and obtain necessary international regulatory clearances, given AI infrastructure's geopolitical importance.
Conclusion
The $40 billion Aligned Data Centers acquisition by the Nvidia-Microsoft-BlackRock-xAI consortium demonstrates infrastructure's strategic value in today's AI ecosystem. As computational power demand escalates, deals of this magnitude will become increasingly common. With 5+ gigawatts and 50 campuses, Aligned provides a solid foundation for powering future AI applications and models, solidifying the consortium's role as architect of global AI infrastructure.
FAQ
What is Aligned Data Centers and why is it important for AI infrastructure?
Aligned designs and operates data centers across North and South America with 5+ gigawatts capacity. It's critical for AI infrastructure as it provides computational power essential for model training and complex AI workloads.
Why are Nvidia, Microsoft, and BlackRock investing $40 billion in data center infrastructure?
These companies recognize data center infrastructure as a scarce, strategic asset. Controlling data centers means controlling the technological foundation of the AI industry as demand for computational capacity continues surging.
What is the Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure Partnership (AIP) role?
Founded in September 2024 by BlackRock, MGX, Microsoft, and Nvidia, AIP accelerates AI infrastructure investments. The Aligned acquisition is its first major investment, advancing its goal of deploying $30 billion in capital.
Who are the other consortium participants besides Nvidia, Microsoft, and BlackRock?
Beyond the founders, participants include the Kuwait Investment Authority, xAI (owned by Elon Musk), and Temasek. MGX Abu Dhabi and BlackRock's Global Infrastructure Partners coordinate the deal.
When will the Aligned Data Centers acquisition be completed?
The transaction is expected to close in late 2025, subject to regulatory approvals and standard closing conditions.
How does this deal compare to other AI data center investments?
This is the largest global data center deal to date. While OpenAI, CoreWeave, and Oracle are making significant infrastructure investments, none have reached the $40 billion scale of this agreement.
What are the geopolitical implications of this acquisition?
The deal involves Middle Eastern (MGX, Kuwait Investment Authority) and Asian (Temasek) entities, indicating global distribution of AI infrastructure control and reflecting international competition in technology leadership.