Google, Blackstone to launch AI cloud venture to meet data centre demand
Google and Blackstone Announce Major AI Cloud Partnership
By Natalia Bueno Rebolledo and Mrinmay Dey
May 18 (Reuters) - Alphabet's Google and Blackstone said on Monday that they will form an artificial intelligence cloud business venture aimed at capitalising on an insatiable demand for AI computing services.
Investment Details and Expansion Plans
Blackstone, the world's largest alternative asset manager, will invest an initial $5 billion in equity to help bring 500 megawatts of data centre capacity online in 2027, with further expansion planned over time.
The U.S.-based venture will provide data centre capacity along with Google's custom AI chips, known as Tensor Processing Units, or TPUs, through a compute-as-a-service model.
Potential Investment Value
The total investment value could reach $25 billion, including leverage, according to Bloomberg News.
Both companies did not immediately respond to a request for comments on the Bloomberg report.
Leadership and Strategic Goals
Executive Appointments
Blackstone has appointed Benjamin Sloss, a long-time Google executive, as CEO of the new venture.
Addressing AI Compute Demand
Thomas Kurian, chief executive of Google Cloud, said the venture would help address growing demand for TPUs by offering organisations additional ways to access computing capacity.
Market Impact and Analyst Insights
Analysts and investors have said Google is taking a sizeable share of new AI-driven computing demand, supported by its business tools and custom chips that have attracted customers such as Anthropic.
"This isn't the biggest headline number we've seen. But it's a high-quality bet on sustainable growth in AI infrastructure," said Brittain Ladd, AI and supply chain consultant at Florida-based Chang Robotics.
Blackstone's Broader AI Investments
Expansion into AI Infrastructure
BLACKSTONE RAMPS UP AI INVESTMENTS
Blackstone has stepped up investments in AI-related infrastructure, including data centres, power generation and transmission assets.
Those investments are valuable as the AI boom pushes operators to secure long-term energy supply deals.
Industry Trends and Future Spending
The new partnership reflects rising demand for AI infrastructure and the need for large-scale capital deployment, Blackstone President Jon Gray said.
Spending by Big Tech firms on AI infrastructure, including data centres, is expected to top $700 billion in 2026.
(Reporting by Natalia Bueno Rebolledo and Mrinmay Dey in Mexico City; Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips)
