BlackRock, Global Infrastructure Partners, Microsoft, and MGX Form AI Partnership for Data Centers and Power Infrastructure

Photo : Abu Dhabi Media Office

In a significant move to address the growing demands of artificial intelligence (AI), BlackRock, Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), Microsoft, and MGX have announced the formation of the Global AI Infrastructure Investment Partnership (GAIIP). This new initiative aims to channel substantial investments into data centers and supporting energy infrastructure, primarily within the United States, with additional investments planned for U.S. partner countries.

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The GAIIP is designed to foster an open architecture and a broad ecosystem, providing non-exclusive access to a diverse range of partners and companies. NVIDIA will support the partnership with its expertise in AI data centers and AI factories, enhancing the AI ecosystem. The partnership will also actively engage with industry leaders to refine AI supply chains and energy sourcing. The initial goal is to unlock $30 billion in private equity capital, with the potential to mobilize up to $100 billion when including debt financing.

The collaboration brings together leading global investors: BlackRock, GIP, and MGX, an advanced technology investor, alongside Microsoft. This collective effort combines deep expertise in infrastructure and technology, focusing on scaling data centers efficiently and investing in energy, power, and decarbonization initiatives crucial for AI development.

His Highness Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of MGX, highlighted the pivotal role of AI in shaping future economies. “Artificial intelligence is no longer just a sector of future industries but has become the foundation upon which our future is built. The investments and partnerships we are making today in this field will ensure a more sustainable, prosperous, and equitable future for all,” he said.

Larry Fink, Chairman and CEO of BlackRock, emphasized the transformative impact of the investment. “Mobilizing private capital to build AI infrastructure like data centers and power will unlock a multi-trillion-dollar long-term investment opportunity. Data centers are the bedrock of the digital economy, and these investments will help power economic growth, create jobs, and drive AI technology innovation.”

Satya Nadella, Chairman and CEO of Microsoft, expressed commitment to advancing AI. “We are committed to ensuring AI helps advance innovation and drives growth across every sector of the economy. The Global AI Infrastructure Investment Partnership will help us deliver on this vision by bringing together financial and industry leaders to build the infrastructure of the future and power it in a sustainable way.”

Brad Smith, Vice Chair and President of Microsoft, noted the importance of collective financial efforts. “The capital spending needed for AI infrastructure and the new energy to power it goes beyond what any single company or government can finance. This financial partnership will not only help advance technology but enhance national competitiveness, security, and economic prosperity.”

Ahmed Yahia Al Idrissi, CEO of MGX, underscored the transformative potential of the infrastructure investment. “Building the necessary infrastructure to advance and accelerate the adoption of AI will reshape and revitalize almost every aspect of how we live. New data centers and power sources will drive growth and commerce in the future innovation economy.”

Bayo Ogunlesi, Chairman and CEO of Global Infrastructure Partners, stressed the need for substantial private capital. “There is a clear need to mobilize significant amounts of private capital to fund investments in essential infrastructure. We are highly confident that the combined capabilities of our partnership will help accelerate the pace of investments in AI-related infrastructure.”

Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of NVIDIA, highlighted the role of advanced computing. “Accelerated computing and generative AI are driving a growing need for AI infrastructure for the next industrial revolution. NVIDIA will use its expertise as a full-stack computing platform to support GAIIP and its portfolio companies on the design and integration of AI factories to propel industry innovation.”

MGX, established in Abu Dhabi earlier this year, focuses on investing in AI and advanced technologies with global partners. The new partnership builds on Abu Dhabi’s track record in data centers, compute capacity, and enabling infrastructure.

BlackRock’s extensive corporate network and GIP’s specialization in complex infrastructure assets position them as key players in this initiative. Together, they aim to mobilize private capital, support economic growth, and drive long-term investment benefits for their clients.