Australian pension fund invests in European fiber network: Aware Super, an Australian pension fund, has acquired a minority stake in euNetworks, a London-based bandwidth infrastructure company, aiming to capitalize on the growing artificial intelligence sector.
- The investment was made through a vehicle led by Stonepeak, a global infrastructure and real assets manager, along with other investors including Investment Management Corporation of Ontario and APG Asset Management.
- Aware Super, which manages A$180 billion in assets, did not disclose the size of its stake or the investment amount.
- EuNetworks operates deep fiber networks in 18 European cities and a long-haul network across several countries in the region, directly connecting over 542 data centers.
AI-driven demand for data infrastructure: The acquisition comes at a time of increasing interest and demand for data centers, which are crucial to the development and expansion of generative AI technologies.
- The growing AI industry requires robust digital infrastructure to support its data-intensive operations and rapid processing needs.
- EuNetworks’ extensive fiber network and data center connections position it well to meet the rising demand for high-capacity, low-latency connectivity essential for AI applications.
Strategic expansion into digital infrastructure: Aware Super’s investment in euNetworks marks a significant step in expanding its digital infrastructure portfolio into new markets.
- Katya Romashkan, Aware Super Portfolio Manager – Infrastructure, stated that the euNetworks investment was “a strong first step for expanding the Fund’s digital infrastructure portfolio into new markets.”
- This move signals Aware Super’s recognition of the potential growth and returns in the digital infrastructure sector, particularly in Europe.
Implications for the European tech ecosystem: The investment by an Australian pension fund in European digital infrastructure highlights the global interest in the region’s tech potential.
- The influx of international capital could accelerate the development of Europe’s digital infrastructure, potentially boosting its competitiveness in the global tech landscape.
- Improved fiber networks and data center connectivity may attract more tech companies and startups to the region, fostering innovation and economic growth.
Future outlook for digital infrastructure investments: The deal reflects a broader trend of institutional investors recognizing the strategic importance of digital infrastructure in the AI era.
- As AI continues to evolve and expand, we may see more pension funds and large institutional investors allocating capital to digital infrastructure assets globally.
- The increasing demand for high-performance computing and data processing capabilities driven by AI could lead to further investments in fiber networks, data centers, and related technologies.
Broader implications for AI development: While this investment signifies growing confidence in the AI sector’s potential, it also underscores the need for substantial infrastructure improvements to support AI advancements.
- The development of robust digital infrastructure is crucial for realizing the full potential of AI technologies across various industries.
- As more investments flow into this sector, we may see accelerated progress in AI capabilities, potentially leading to breakthroughs in fields such as healthcare, finance, and scientific research.
Recent Stories
DOE fusion roadmap targets 2030s commercial deployment as AI drives $9B investment
The Department of Energy has released a new roadmap targeting commercial-scale fusion power deployment by the mid-2030s, though the plan lacks specific funding commitments and relies on scientific breakthroughs that have eluded researchers for decades. The strategy emphasizes public-private partnerships and positions AI as both a research tool and motivation for developing fusion energy to meet data centers' growing electricity demands. The big picture: The DOE's roadmap aims to "deliver the public infrastructure that supports the fusion private sector scale up in the 2030s," but acknowledges it cannot commit to specific funding levels and remains subject to Congressional appropriations. Why...
Oct 17, 2025Tying it all together: Credo’s purple cables power the $4B AI data center boom
Credo, a Silicon Valley semiconductor company specializing in data center cables and chips, has seen its stock price more than double this year to $143.61, following a 245% surge in 2024. The company's signature purple cables, which cost between $300-$500 each, have become essential infrastructure for AI data centers, positioning Credo to capitalize on the trillion-dollar AI infrastructure expansion as hyperscalers like Amazon, Microsoft, and Elon Musk's xAI rapidly build out massive computing facilities. What you should know: Credo's active electrical cables (AECs) are becoming indispensable for connecting the massive GPU clusters required for AI training and inference. The company...
Oct 17, 2025Vatican launches Latin American AI network for human development
The Vatican hosted a two-day conference bringing together 50 global experts to explore how artificial intelligence can advance peace, social justice, and human development. The event launched the Latin American AI Network for Integral Human Development and established principles for ethical AI governance that prioritize human dignity over technological advancement. What you should know: The Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, the Vatican's research body for social issues, organized the "Digital Rerum Novarum" conference on October 16-17, combining academic research with practical AI applications. Participants included leading experts from MIT, Microsoft, Columbia University, the UN, and major European institutions. The conference...