WSJ Tech News Briefing

Episode Title: TNB Tech Minute: Poolside, CoreWeave Partner Up for Giant AI Data Center
Date: October 15, 2025
Host: Zoe Kulkin

Episode Overview

This TNB Tech Minute episode covers major developments in the tech infrastructure and autonomous vehicle sectors, with a focus on partnerships and acquisitions within the AI and data center space. It provides quick updates about huge new data centers, multibillion-dollar acquisitions, and landmark moves by autonomous vehicle firms in Europe.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Poolside & CoreWeave’s Massive Data Center

• Partnership Announcement

  • Poolside, an AI startup backed by Nvidia, is teaming up with CoreWeave to construct an immense data center in West Texas.

• Data Center Details

  • The facility will be self-powered and span an area two-thirds the size of Central Park.
  • Strategic location: Set amid the fracking boom thanks to abundant natural gas resources, with the aim of reducing operational costs and enhancing long-term sustainability.

• Industry Trend Highlight

  • This move ties into a broader trend of energy co-location for AI infrastructure, underlining the growing importance of power sources for next-gen data centers.

  Quote:
  “Poolside, an Nvidia backed AI startup, is partnering up with CoreWeave to build a massive data center in West Texas, one that can generate its own power and is two thirds the size of Central Park.”
  — Zoe Kulkin (00:22)

2. BlackRock-Led Acquisition of Aligned Data Centers

• Acquisition Details

  • BlackRock’s new AI infrastructure consortium has agreed to buy Aligned Data Centers from Macquarie Asset Management.
  • The acquisition is valued at about $40 billion — positioning it as one of the largest data center deals in history.

• Stakeholders

  • Backed by Mabatala Investments and BlackRock’s Global Infrastructure Partners.

• Closing Timeline

  • Deal is subject to regulatory approvals, expected to close in the first half of 2026.

  Quote:
  “The company said the purchase is one of the largest data center deals ever and pending regulatory approvals should close in the first half of 2026.”
  — Zoe Kulkin (00:58)

3. Autonomous Ride Hailing: Waymo & Uber’s Move into London

• Waymo’s European Debut

  • Waymo, owned by Alphabet, is launching its first fully autonomous ride-hailing service in London next year.
  • Initial fleet will arrive soon, with human-driven mapping and data collection in London’s streets beginning in the coming weeks.

• Uber & Local Partnerships

  • Uber announced plans to introduce a robotaxi service in London, partnering with UK-based autonomous driving startup, Wave.

  Quote:
  “Waymo is launching a fully autonomous ride hailing service in London next year, The Alphabet owned company's European debut.”
  — Zoe Kulkin (01:11)

  Quote:
  “Additionally, Uber is planning to roll out a robotaxi service in London after striking a partnership with local autonomous driving startup Wave.”
  — Zoe Kulkin (01:28)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Poolside, an Nvidia backed AI startup, is partnering up with CoreWeave to build a massive data center in West Texas, one that can generate its own power and is two thirds the size of Central Park.” — Zoe Kulkin (00:22)
• “The company said the purchase is one of the largest data center deals ever and pending regulatory approvals should close in the first half of 2026.” — Zoe Kulkin (00:58)
• “Waymo is launching a fully autonomous ride hailing service in London next year, The Alphabet owned company's European debut.” — Zoe Kulkin (01:11)
• “Additionally, Uber is planning to roll out a robotaxi service in London after striking a partnership with local autonomous driving startup Wave.” — Zoe Kulkin (01:28)

Timestamps for Segments

• 00:16 – Poolside & CoreWeave announce giant West Texas data center
• 00:50 – BlackRock’s $40B acquisition of Aligned Data Centers detailed
• 01:11 – Waymo launches robotaxi service in London; European debut
• 01:28 – Uber & Wave robotaxi partnership for London

Summary

This Tech Minute distills a fast-moving day in the tech world: partnerships like Poolside and CoreWeave’s push America’s AI infrastructure into new frontiers, BlackRock’s $40B acquisition breaks records in the data center sector, and the dawn of fully autonomous ride hailing in London—led by both Waymo’s entry and Uber’s teaming with Wave—signals a new era for urban mobility in Europe.