World leader in artificial intelligence processors Nvidia, one of the leading AI companies Microsoft and Elon Musk's AI startup xAI were among a group of investors who will spend $40 billion to buy 100% of data center owner Aligned Data Centers. This follows the announcement of the deal. It involves, among others, the AI Infrastructure Partnership (AIP) consortium, which was formed in September 2024 with participation from Microsoft, BlackRock and UAE-based investment firm MGX. Nvidia and xAI joined it in March 2025.

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Aligned Data Centers designs and operates data centers and campuses in the Americas and is owned by Macquarie Asset Management. Aligned operates 50 data centers and has a combined operating and planned capacity of more than 5 gigawatts, Macquarie said in a statement about the deal. In addition to AIP, MGX and BlackRock's Global Infrastructure Partners unit are participating in the purchase of Aligned shares.

This will be the largest data center agreement in the world, the press release said. The parties expect the deal with Aligned to close in the first half of 2026 - subject to regulatory approval and fulfillment of all conditions.

The deal with Aligned will be AIP's first investment and will bring the group closer to its goal of deploying $30 billion of equity capital to the industry, CNBC noted.

"By investing in Aligned Data Centers, we are taking a step toward realizing our goal of providing the infrastructure needed for the future of artificial intelligence while offering our customers attractive opportunities to participate in its growth," BlackRock CEO and AIP Chairman Larry Fink said in a press release.

This article was AI-translated and verified by a human editor

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