SoftBank Group is making a major investment in AI infrastructure in Europe, announcing plans to develop and operate 5 gigawatts of AI data center capacity in France.
The project, with a potential total investment of up to €75 billion, aims to address rapidly growing demand for high-performance computing and to position France as a leading European hub for artificial intelligence infrastructure.
According to an official company release, the first phase of the effort will involve an initial €45 billion investment and is expected to deliver 3.1 GW of AI data center capacity in the Hauts-de-France region by 2031.
Planned sites include Bosquel, Bouchain, and Dunkirk, and SoftBank has indicated it is evaluating additional locations across the country to expand the rollout.
The announcement was made at the Choose France summit hosted by President Emmanuel Macron. SoftBank says the investment will broaden access to computing power for AI startups, enterprises, cloud providers, public institutions, and research organizations.
Masayoshi Son, Chairman and CEO of SoftBank, commented on the initiative:
“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. SoftBank is proud to make this major commitment to France. With its industrial capabilities, talent base and national ambition, France is uniquely positioned to become a leading AI infrastructure hub in Europe.”
The announcement underscores the escalating global demand for computing capacity. SoftBank also pledged to create thousands of high-skilled jobs spanning engineering, data center construction and development, robotics, operations, maintenance, and advanced manufacturing.
By establishing large-scale AI data centers in strategic regions, the project seeks to support the needs of AI developers and organizations that require dense compute resources, reduce latency for European customers, and strengthen continental supply chains for critical hardware and services.
SoftBank’s plan highlights how private investment can accelerate national and regional ambitions in artificial intelligence by providing the physical infrastructure that underpins modern AI systems. If realized, the program would significantly expand Europe’s compute footprint and could influence future industry location decisions, talent development, and research collaboration across the continent.