Microsoft and BlackRock partner to create a $30 billion fund to invest in critical infrastructure supporting artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. Announced as part of a larger initiative called the Global AI Infrastructure Investment Partnership (GAIIP), the fund will focus on developing data centers and energy infrastructure needed to support AI's massive computational demands.
The collaboration highlights the growing recognition that AI requires significant physical resources, especially computing power and energy. In addition to BlackRock and Microsoft, GAIIP includes Global Infrastructure Partners (set to be acquired by BlackRock) and UAE-based MGX. The group intends to raise the initial $30 billion through various undisclosed commitments, potentially expanding the fund to $100 billion using leverage.
Despite Microsoft’s key role, GAIIP will maintain an "open architecture," allowing non-exclusive access to a wide range of partners and companies. NVIDIA will serve as an advisor, reflecting its significant role in AI hardware development.
Microsoft President Brad Smith acknowledged the immense financial demand behind AI infrastructure, noting that the necessary capital spending exceeds what any single company or government can finance alone.
As AI technology expands, this joint initiative seeks to ensure that global infrastructure can keep pace with AI's growing needs, supporting data centers and the energy solutions required to power them.
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