Global X launches first AI infrastructure ETF in Australia

Global X ETFs has launched Australia's first exchange-traded fund focused on artificial intelligence infrastructure, offering investors targeted exposure to the growing demand for the physical backbone supporting AI technology.

Announced on 30 April 2025, the Global X Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure ETF (AINF) provides access to companies involved in the development of data centres, energy production, and key raw materials that underpin AI systems globally.

"AI infrastructure refers to the raw materials, power grids, and data centres supporting AI. These sectors are a vital, but often overlooked, part of the AI value chain," said Billy Leung, Senior Investment Strategist at Global X.

"There's been significant underinvestment in these areas, creating bottlenecks that investors can now target."

The fund launch comes as AI adoption accelerates, driving increasing demand for the resources and facilities needed to power complex machine learning systems. Analysts forecast that global data centre spending could exceed US$2 trillion by 2030, and that data centres alone may consume up to 4% of the world's electricity within five years.

"AI isn't just a digital story anymore — it's a physical one. Massive new infrastructure is needed to power and sustain it," Leung said. "AINF gives investors a way to access this emerging growth engine by investing in the companies building the future of AI."

The AINF ETF is the latest addition to Global X's suite of AI-focused funds, which now includes GXAI, SEMI, ROBO, BUGG, ATOM, and WIRE — comprising what the firm describes as the most comprehensive AI ETF offering in the Australian market. Global X currently manages over $10 billion across 44 strategies.

"As the AI revolution enters its next phase, we believe investors can capture opportunity by looking beyond just tech stocks to the infrastructure enabling it. With AINF, they now have a purpose-built way to do just that," Leung said.

AINF arrives amid growing investor interest in AI-related investment vehicles. In the past 12 months, Australian AI-focused ETFs attracted nearly $90 million, including $36 million so far in 2025. Globally, Global X's AI suite has drawn more than $775 million this year.

"Given the scale of the AI buildout underway, we anticipate AINF could attract $50 million within its first year, with broader AI ETF flows expected to exceed $80 million," Leung added.

The fund aims to offer exposure to a diverse set of infrastructure-related sectors that are expected to benefit from AI expansion, such as energy utilities, raw material providers, and data centre developers.

"A massive infrastructure buildout is underway to sustain AI, and investors now have a way to access this emerging growth engine," said Leung.

The launch of AINF reflects an evolving investment landscape, where the focus is shifting from front-end technologies like software and chips to the foundational elements that enable their operation and growth.

Global X ETFs Australia is part of the broader Global X network, which operates nearly 400 ETF strategies worldwide and manages over US$96 billion in assets.

The firm is a member of Mirae Asset Financial Group, a global financial services provider with more than $632 billion in assets under management.

The introduction of AINF marks another milestone in the ongoing development of thematic investment products in Australia, particularly as interest in AI and related technologies continues to gain momentum among both retail and institutional investors.