BlackRock, Global Infrastructure Partners, Microsoft, and MGX on Sept. 17 announced the Global AI Infrastructure Investment Partnership to make investments in new and expanded data centers to meet growing demand for computing power, as well as energy infrastructure to create new sources of power for these facilities.
“These infrastructure investments will be chiefly in the United States fueling AI innovation and economic growth, and the remainder will be invested in U.S. partner countries,” a news release said.
This partnership will support an open architecture and broad ecosystem, providing full access on a non-exclusive basis for a diverse range of partners and companies, the companies noted.
NVIDIA will support the Global AI Infrastructure Investment Partnership, offering its expertise in AI data centers and AI factories to benefit the AI ecosystem, the companies noted.
The Global AI Infrastructure Investment Partnership will also actively engage with industry leaders to help enhance AI supply chains and energy sourcing for the benefit of its customers and the industry.
“The partnership will initially seek to unlock $30 billion of private equity capital over time from investors, asset owners, and corporates, which in turn will mobilize up to $100 billion in total investment potential when including debt financing,” the companies said.
The founders of the partnership bring together leading global investors BlackRock, GIP, and MGX, an artificial intelligence and advanced technology investor, with funding as well as expertise from Microsoft.
The Global AI Infrastructure Investment Partnership “combines deep understanding of infrastructure and technology to drive efficient scaling of data centers, with energy, power, and decarbonization investment capabilities for related enabling infrastructure for AI,” the news release said.
MGX was created in Abu Dhabi earlier this year to invest in AI and advanced technologies with global partners to enable the technology fabric of the global economy, focusing on AI infrastructure; AI-enabled technology; and semiconductors.
BlackRock is an asset manager and a provider of investment, advisory, and risk management solutions.
GIP is an infrastructure investor that specializes in investing in, owning and operating assets across the energy, transport, digital infrastructure and water and waste management sectors, the news release said.
On September 13, 2024, BlackRock issued a press release announcing that it expects to close its previously announced acquisition of GIP on October 1, 2024, subject to customary closing conditions, including the receipt of specified regulatory approvals and clearances.
