A significant acquisition in the artificial intelligence sector is underway, with a consortium including BlackRock, Nvidia, and Microsoft set to purchase Aligned Data Centers in a deal valued at approximately $40 billion. This strategic move aims to substantially expand next-generation cloud and artificial intelligence infrastructure, addressing the increasing demand for resources like electricity and robust infrastructure needed to support advanced AI technologies.

This acquisition is part of a broader trend of intensive investment and consolidation within the booming AI sector. Recent weeks have seen other major collaborations, such as semiconductor giant AMD's agreement to supply chips to OpenAI, which also includes an option for OpenAI to acquire up to a 10% stake in AMD. Furthermore, OpenAI and Nvidia previously announced a massive $100 billion partnership intended to add at least 10 gigawatts of data center computing power, highlighting the industry's focus on scaling infrastructure.

Aligned Data Centers brings a substantial portfolio to the consortium, boasting 50 campuses and more than 5 gigawatts of operational and planned capacity, including assets currently under development. These facilities are primarily located across the U.S., with key sites in northern Virginia, Chicago, Dallas, Ohio, Phoenix, and Salt Lake City, as well as in Latin America, specifically Sao Paulo, Brazil; Queretaro, Mexico; and Santiago, Chile. Aligned, a privately held company, will maintain its current leadership under CEO Andrew Schaap and retain its headquarters in Dallas.

Macquarie Asset Management, one of the sellers, had initially invested in Aligned in 2018. Ben Way, head of Macquarie Asset Management, expressed pride in Aligned's growth, noting its expansion from two locations to 50 in just seven years, a testament to their approach of fostering rapid growth and positive impact.

The purchasing consortium, named the Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure Partnership (AIP), marks this acquisition as its inaugural deal. The AIP has an ambitious initial target to mobilize and deploy $30 billion of equity capital, with the potential to reach $100 billion when including debt. Larry Fink, Chairman and CEO of BlackRock and Chairman of AIP, emphasized the partnership's role in meeting the escalating demand for infrastructure as AI continues to transform the global economy, stating, “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 anticipated to finalize in the first half of 2026, and following the announcement, shares of Nvidia saw a modest rise of approximately 1% in morning trading.