SoftBank to Invest Some €75 Billion in AI in France, Reports Say
(Bloomberg) — SoftBank Group Corp. plans to invest up to 75 billion euros ($87 billion) to build artificial intelligence data centers in France, La Tribune and the Financial Times reported.
The Japanese group is preparing to invest an initial €45 billion to build two data centers in Le Bosquel and Dunkirk that will be operational in 2028 and 2031, La Tribune reports SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son said in an interview. The investment is part of SoftBank’s broader development of artificial intelligence infrastructure.
Son said French President Emmanuel Macron proposed the idea at a recent meeting in Tokyo.
“Although our investments have so far been mainly concentrated in the US as well as Japan and Asia, I am very impressed that Emmanuel Macron is so personally committed to ensuring the economic success of France,” Son told La Tribune.
Bloomberg reported that Son floated the idea of SoftBank investing up to $100 billion in France. Accustomed to receiving similar questions from various corporate chiefs, the Japanese investor was intrigued by the direct approach of a head of state and began to study the issue seriously.
According to La Tribune, the plan signals that SoftBank is choosing France as a European hub for AI production and computing power, with the expectation of reaching more than 5 gigawatts of capacity. Schneider Electric SE is preparing to become a partner.
Macron and Son are expected to officially announce the investment during the Choose France Summit, an annual gathering of industry leaders to attract investment and increase France’s business attractiveness.
More stories like this available Bloomberg.com
