EQT Group Chair Jean Eric Salata said the global build-out of artificial intelligence infrastructure is only in its early stages.
The shift signals a massive pivot in private equity toward the physical foundations of the AI economy. As software capabilities evolve, the demand for the hardware, power, and data centers required to run these systems is creating a generational investment window.
In an interview with CNBC on Wednesday, Salata said the sector is a multi-year opportunity. He said the AI infrastructure build-out has years to run [1]. This perspective aligns with the firm's broader strategic goals to secure a foothold in the essential components of the digital economy.
EQT currently manages approximately $310 billion in assets [2]. The firm is leveraging this scale to target a global investment need that is measured in trillions of dollars [3]. According to a company statement, the firm's AI infrastructure strategy is designed to build the foundation of the AI economy [3].
To jumpstart this initiative, the strategy is fully seeded by EdgeConneX [3]. This provides EQT with an immediate operational base to scale its investments in data centers, and related connectivity services.
Salata also noted a shift in the deal environment. Speaking with Bloomberg Deals, he said the pipeline of larger deals is increasing [2]. This suggests that the market is moving past small-scale pilots and toward massive, industrial-scale infrastructure projects.
The firm's aggressive posture reflects a belief that the physical layer of AI — the land, power, and cooling systems — will be the primary bottleneck and value driver for the next several years. By securing these assets now, EQT aims to position itself as a critical landlord for the AI era.
“The AI infrastructure build‑out has years to run.”
EQT's strategy highlights a transition in the AI trade from purely software and chip-making to the 'hard' infrastructure of data centers and power grids. By targeting a trillion-dollar investment gap, the firm is betting that the physical constraints of AI will create long-term, high-value assets that are less volatile than individual AI applications.
