Overview
- SoftBank Group announced a program that it says could total up to €75 billion to build AI-focused data centers in France with a planned combined power intake of 5 gigawatts.
- The company committed an initial phase of 3.1 gigawatts of capacity in northern France to be completed by 2031 as part of the multi-phase buildout.
- SoftBank presented the project as its first AI data-center effort in Europe and said the facilities will serve both France and nearby countries, with CEO Masayoshi Son saying infrastructure will shape the future of technology and society.
- Key details remain undecided: the firm has not named exact sites, financing partners, construction plans or regulatory approvals needed for later phases.
- The scale of the rollout raises immediate questions about electricity supply, grid upgrades, local permitting and jobs, and it has already influenced markets by helping lift SoftBank’s share value.