SoftBank is betting up to €75 billion on France as part of a massive AI data center push

SoftBank will invest a lot of money to build data centers in France.

SoftBank Group is taking a big step forward in Europe’s AI infrastructure, with plans to develop and operate a whopping 5 gigawatts of AI data center capacity in France.

The investment, which could reach up to €75 billion, aims to meet growing demand for high-performance computing and position the country as a major European hub for artificial intelligence infrastructure.

According to an official press release, the first phase of the project will include an initial investment of 45 billion euros. It is expected to provide 3.1 GW of AI data center capacity in the Hauts-de-France region by 2031.

Facilities are planned in Bosquel, Bouchain and Dunkerque, with SoftBank also considering other locations across the country.

The announcement was made during the Choose France summit, organized by President Emmanuel Macron. The company said the investment would expand access to computing power for AI companies, enterprises, cloud providers, public institutions, as well as research organizations.

Speaking on the matter, Masayoshi Son, Chairman and CEO of SoftBank, said:

AI is entering a new era, and the countries that build the infrastructure for this transformation will shape the future of technology, industry and society,” said Masayoshi Son. “SoftBank is proud to make this major commitment to France. Thanks to its industrial capabilities, talents and national ambition, France is uniquely positioned to become one of the leading AI infrastructure hubs in Europe.

The move highlights the growing demand for computing power, while SoftBank also commits to creating thousands of highly skilled jobs in engineering, data center development, robotics, operations, maintenance, advanced manufacturing, and more.

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