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Global investment in data centres surged to a record $61 billion in 2025, driven by intense demand for computing capacity required to support artificial intelligence technologies, according to industry data. This figure, tracked through more than 100 transactions globally, eclipses 2024's previous high of about $60.8 billion and underscores the rapid commercialisation of AI infrastructure.
The data, compiled by S&P Global Market Intelligence and reported in multiple analyses, shows that dealmaking, including mergers, acquisitions and equity investments, has reached historic levels, with tech giants and hyperscalers at the forefront of the expansion. Total global transactions topped 100 deals through November, with substantial activity in North America, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.
"High interest comes from financial sponsors, which are attracted by the risk/reward profile of such assets," Iuri Struta, a TMT analyst at S&P Global Market Intelligence, told Reuters, reflecting the strong appetite among private equity and institutional investors for data centre assets.
The surge is part of a broader shift in the tech landscape as AI workloads require massive computational power and storage, prompting a construction and investment wave in physical infrastructure. Analysts describe this trend not only as a growth story in technology but also one with energy and logistical implications, as new data centres often necessitate expanded power and cooling capacity.
While the boom signals confidence in AI's long-term expansion, it also raises questions about energy demand and sustainability as facilities scale up globally. Nevertheless, the record investment highlights how central data hubs have become to the digital economy.
