AI Funding Surge Fuels Global Data‑Center Construction Boom

In June 2026, several AI‑focused startups secured record‑size financing. Physical‑AI company Prometheus raised $12 billion in a Series B round at a $41 billion valuation, while Chinese AI firm DeepSeek attracted more than $7.4 billion, valuing it above $50 billion. Data‑center specialist DayOne DC closed a $4.5 billion Series C, and inference platform Baseten completed a $1.5 billion Series F. Investors included major financial firms, sovereign funds and tech giants.

The influx of capital is reflected in construction trends. May 2026 economic reports show that data‑center projects account for most of the growth in U.S. construction activity, with planning permits and groundbreakings rising month‑over‑month. Job openings in the sector hit a ten‑month high, driven by “exceptional demand” for roles tied to AI‑related builds, according to chief economist Anirban Basu. By contrast, private non‑residential construction spending fell for a seventh consecutive month and input prices accelerated, indicating broader sector weakness outside the AI infrastructure surge.