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SoftBank Group plans to invest up to $88 billion in a data hub in France to secure AI computing power outside the US. The hub, with a total capacity of 5 gigawatts, is expected to be the largest in Europe. The investment reflects SoftBank’s efforts to diversify its operations beyond the US.
SoftBank Group is reportedly considering a $88 billion investment in a French AI data center, according to multiple sources, including Bloomberg and Reuters. The initiative, which has been discussed between SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son and French President Emmanuel Macron, could include a multibillion-dollar data center and is timed for an announcement at the Choose France Summit. While the exact scale of the investment remains unconfirmed, the reported figure would represent one of the largest single investments in AI infrastructure in Europe.
The proposed data center is expected to have a total capacity of 5 gigawatts, making it the largest in Europe. This move aligns with SoftBank’s broader strategy to expand its AI infrastructure beyond the United States and into key global markets. The company has already invested over $30 billion in OpenAI and is developing its own AI cloud services, including the recently announced “AI Data Center GPU Cloud,” which will leverage NVIDIA’s GB200 NVL72 GPUs and the Infrinia AI Cloud OS.
Such a large-scale investment in France would not only support SoftBank’s global AI ambitions but also align with French efforts to attract high-tech infrastructure and strengthen its position in the AI industry. However, details of the project remain in flux, and no official confirmation has been provided by SoftBank or French authorities. Investors and industry observers will be watching for further developments, including potential partnerships with local utilities and construction firms, as well as procurement activity for GPUs and other infrastructure components.
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