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

BlackRock Inc.'s Global Infrastructure Partners is in advanced talks to acquire Aligned Data Centers, a move that signals the asset manager's bet on the growing demand for data centers driven by the rise of artificial intelligence (AI). The potential deal, which could be worth around $40 billion, would make Aligned Data Centers one of the largest beneficiaries of the increasing AI-related investments. Aligned Data Centers is a leading provider of data center solutions, catering to the needs of companies that require high-performance computing infrastructure to support their AI and machine learning initiatives. The acquisition, if completed, would further expand BlackRock's presence in the rapidly evolving data center industry, which has seen significant growth due to the surge in data generation and the need for efficient storage and processing capabilities. The deal reflects the broader trend of large institutional investors seeking to capitalize on the technological advancements and the growing importance of data infrastructure in the digital age.