SoftBank Pledges €75 Billion for 5GW AI Hub in France as Europe Chases US, China
Updated
Updated · Financial Times · May 30
SoftBank Pledges €75 Billion for 5GW AI Hub in France as Europe Chases US, China
1 articles · Updated · Financial Times · May 30
SoftBank said it will back up to €75 billion of AI infrastructure in France, starting with a €45 billion, 3.1-gigawatt buildout in Hauts-de-France by 2031 and planning another 2GW.
The project would become Europe’s largest AI data-centre complex, with a main Dunkirk site developed with Schneider Electric to serve customers across London, Brussels and Amsterdam.
France won the commitment after Emmanuel Macron pitched its nuclear-powered electricity supply and faster permitting to Masayoshi Son in Tokyo in April, giving the president a boost before next week’s Choose France summit.
SoftBank has not yet named the facility’s end customers or chip suppliers, and the financing will likely depend heavily on debt and outside partners because industry estimates put 1GW of AI infrastructure at about $50 billion.
The French plan extends SoftBank’s wider AI buildout beyond the US, including a 10GW Ohio project and a 5GW Abu Dhabi consortium, as Europe tries to narrow its infrastructure gap with the US, China and the Middle East.
Can France's nuclear grid power Europe's AI ambitions without incurring massive, unforeseen environmental costs?
Can a €75 billion foreign investment truly deliver AI sovereignty for France, or does it simply shift dependency?
As SoftBank bets billions on global AI infrastructure, is it building the future or financing the next tech bubble?
France Eyes AI Leadership with SoftBank’s Proposed $100 Billion Data Center Mega-Investment
Overview
SoftBank Group, led by Masayoshi Son, is considering a multibillion-dollar investment in France to build a major AI data center, with the potential investment reaching up to $100 billion. This move highlights SoftBank’s aggressive pursuit of AI dominance and France’s growing appeal as a hub for advanced technology. The project aims to create critical infrastructure for processing the vast amounts of data required by advanced AI models. While the specific details and final scope are still evolving, this initiative underscores France’s strategic efforts to attract large-scale technological investments and strengthen its position in the global AI landscape.