Artificial intelligence is fueling one of the biggest infrastructure booms in history, creating unprecedented demand for data centers and the real estate companies that own them. 

As tech giants pour hundreds of billions of dollars into AI infrastructure, investors are searching for the best AI data center stocks and REITs positioned to benefit from this long-term growth trend. Better yet, many of these companies also pay attractive dividends, offering investors the opportunity to generate passive income while gaining exposure to one of the market’s fastest-growing industries. 

Massive Data Center Growth Ahead

Right now, according to MIT Technology Review, there are about 3,000 data centers across the U.S. Plus, according to a report from McKinsey, $5.2 trillion in AI infrastructure investments will be needed by 2030. 

McKinsey’s analysis also ‘suggests that demand for AI-ready data center capacity will rise at an average rate of 33 percent a year between 2023 and 2030 (reflecting a trend that is already underway.),’” as reported by BOMA International.

We also have to consider that AI demand isn’t slowing, which increases the need of data centers.

Forecasts now place AI’s value between $1.7 and $3.5 trillion by the early 2030s, with the most aggressive estimates topping $7 trillion by 2035. And judging by the surge in corporate investment, the market is moving toward the high end of those projections.

In addition, some of the largest tech companies are sending a clear message that the AI boom is far from over. Just look at recent capex spending.

  • Google raised its 2026 capex outlook to $180 to $190 billion
  • Microsoft raised its capex outlook to about $190 billion
  • Meta raised its capex spending to a range of $125 billion to $145 billion
  • Amazon raised its spending for 2026 to $200 billion

That being said, check out Digital Realty Trust (DLR).

With a yield of about 2.53%, the Digital Realty Trust (NYSE: DLR) is a major data center provider that is heavily invested in AI infrastructure. It also just paid a dividend of $1.22 per share on June 30 to shareholders of record as of June 15.

In its most recent quarter, funds from operations (FFO) was $1.96, which beat by a penny. Revenue of $1.64 billion, up 16.3% year over year, beat by $40 million. 

“Digital Realty saw a further acceleration in data center demand and our growth trajectory in the first quarter, with record 0–1 megawatt plus interconnection leasing and the largest hyperscale lease in company history, which contributed to double-digit growth in core FFO per share,” said President and CEO Andy Power.

Sincerely,

Ian Cooper