Global X unveils Australia’s first AI infrastructure ETF

Specialist exchange-traded fund (ETF) provider Global X has launched a new fund touted as Australia’s first ETF thematic targeting industries aligned to the development and growth of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. 

Global X’s Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure ETF (AINF) offers exposure to companies and adjacent industries, it says, “facilitating the adoption and expansion of AI technologies across the world”.

These companies – the physical and operational backbone of the AI growth surge – include data centres, energy suppliers, and materials producers and refiners, such as those involved in copper and uranium used to power and operate AI infrastructure.

“These sectors are a vital, but often overlooked, part of the AI value chain,” said Billy Leung, senior investment strategist at Global X, noting “significant underinvestment in these areas, creating bottlenecks that investors can now target.”

The AINF has strong weightings in the industrials (43.7%), materials (22.9%) and information technology (13.6%) sectors.

Among the fund’s current top holdings include copper mining groups Antofagasta and Southern Copper, interconnect (fibre optic and coax cable, etc.) systems manufacturer Amphenol, and energy equipment manufacturer GE Vernova.

Leung predicts that the AINF could attract around $50 million in inflows within its first year, along with a more than $80 million flow to its broader suite of AI ETFs.

While recent hype around AI has been muted to some degree, few doubt that the technology will play an increasingly important role in the global industry in the years to come, with adjacent industries set to see exponential growth.

A UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) report published earlier this month projects a 25-fold increase in the global AI market within the decade from 2023 – from $189 billion to $4.8 trillion by 2033.

Real Estate consultancy Knight Frank predicts global data centre growth will reach US$4 trillion by 2030, accelerated by growing demand for AI and enterprise digital transformation.

It further forecasts data centre capital expenditure exceeding US$286 billion by 2027 as operators respond to mounting demand for AI-optimised infrastructure, cloud services, and enterprise digital initiatives.

Citing Goldman Sachs figures, Global X also notes a predicted doubling in data centre power consumption within the next five years, consuming up to 4% of the world’s electricity.

Meanwhile, it added, key materials like copper and uranium — critical for servers, cooling systems, and energy grids — are likewise experiencing increasing demand.

“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.

He added: “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.”

The AINF joins Global X’s existing suite of AI thematic ETFs, including its core Artificial Intelligence (GXAI), Semiconductor (SEMI), General Robotics and Automation (ROBO), Cybersecurity (BUGG), Uranium (ATOM), and Copper Miners (WIRE) funds.

Global X Australia, owned by South Korean investment giant Mirae Asset Financial Group, manages over $10 billion across 44 strategies.

The AINF attracts a management fee of 0.57% per annum.