25 Sep 2026
Applied Digital has announced plans for Delta Forge 2, a $3.2 billion artificial intelligence data center to be constructed in Alabama, with operations potentially commencing by 2028.
Applied Digital
Applied Digital is strategically expanding its AI data center capacity, with over 700 megawatts under construction to meet the escalating demands of the AI boom. The company's focus on flexible infrastructure, secure supply chains, and advanced cooling solutions is crucial for supporting this growth. This tangible buildout directly aligns with partner roadmaps, emphasizing practical deployment to address the increasing need for digital infrastructure.
The company's AI infrastructure financing model has been validated, notably through a significant 430MW data center lease with a major hyperscaler. This highlights a strategic shift towards specialized AI facilities supported by investment-grade clients and adaptable financing. Applied Digital is transitioning from planning to concrete deployment, positioning itself as a key player in a market where financing for large-scale buildouts is emerging as a distinct asset class.
The data center industry faces a critical challenge: a shortage of skilled labor, particularly for senior roles, which threatens the expansion of AI infrastructure. Applied Digital's emphasis on constructing the physical backbone for advanced computational needs, characterized by flexible designs and robust supply chain management, is vital. The intensification of building and deploying capacity is essential for meeting AI convergence demands amidst these operational realities.
Last updated September 20, 2026
Coverage
17 Sep 2026
Data center operators face critical labor shortages, especially for senior roles, which is hindering the expansion of artificial intelligence infrastructure.
14 Jun 2026
The financing layer in data center projects has evolved into its own asset class, as capital is now being structured into permanent platforms that provide underwriting for power, semiconductor supply, and large-scale buildouts, moving beyond traditional project funding.
31 May 2026
The AI infrastructure financing landscape is bifurcating into large-scale hyperscaler mega-builds and smaller, contract-backed independent platforms, fundamentally altering how capacity is funded and ownership structures are established.
28 May 2026
Applied Digital has signed a substantial 430MW data center lease with an unnamed hyperscaler and has also completed the spin-out of its cloud business.
4 May 2026
A 15-year, 300-megawatt hyperscale lease at Delta Forge 1 validates Applied Digital's financing model for artificial intelligence infrastructure, which relies on investment-grade tenants and scalable financial solutions.
→
27 Jan 2026
Applied Digital CEO Wes Cummins explained in a podcast feature that flexible design, secured supply chains, and direct-to-chip liquid cooling are crucial for scaling artificial intelligence data center development, noting that execution, not announcements, will determine market winners.
8 Dec 2025
The convergence of Artificial Intelligence capabilities with existing digital infrastructure is defining the next significant area of technological advancement.