ISLAMABAD: SoftBank Group has announced plans to invest about $87.5 billion in building artificial intelligence data centre infrastructure across France, as one of the largest technology investments in Europe to date.
The initiative, unveiled by SoftBank Group founder and chairman Masayoshi Son, aims to create large-scale computing capacity, which is required for advanced artificial intelligence systems as global demand for processing power surges.
According to details shared by the company, the investment will be rolled out in phases, starting with an initial commitment of around €45 billion (approximately $ 52.2 billion) to build more than 3 gigawatts of data centre capacity by 2031.
The full expansion is expected to reach nearly 5 gigawatts over the longer term, elevating France among the leading hubs for AI infrastructure in Europe.
The project will span multiple industrial locations across France, including sites in the northern regions such as Dunkirk, Bosquel and Bouchain, where industrial land and energy access make large-scale facilities feasible.
A central factor behind the decision is France’s low-carbon nuclear energy system, which provides stable and high-volume electricity supply needed for energy-intensive data centres.
Industry observers say power availability has become a decisive factor for global technology firms choosing to locate AI infrastructure. Particularly, training large AI models requires vast and continuous energy input.
SoftBank’s plan is also expected to involve cooperation with European engineering and energy companies, including firms specialising in electrical infrastructure and industrial systems.
The group has indicated that the project will serve as a long-term backbone for its overall artificial intelligence strategy.
The Group aggressively focuses on building physical infrastructure alongside software and investment portfolios.
The announcement intensifies global competition to secure AI computing capacity. Major technology companies, sovereign wealth funds and private investors are racing to establish data centre networks capable of supporting next-generation models.
Europe, in particular, has been emerging as a destination for green-powered digital infrastructure, leveraging nuclear and renewable energy sources to attract large-scale investment.
France stands out as a key beneficiary of this trend, offering both regulatory stability and relatively low-carbon electricity generation.
Officials and industry leaders in the country have been actively courting international technology investment as part of broader efforts to strengthen its digital economy.
SoftBank’s move reflects a strategic shift toward foundational infrastructure for artificial intelligence.
The Japanese group intends to move beyond financial investments in startups and platforms toward direct control of computing capacity.
Analysts say such assets could play a critical role in the coming decade as demand for AI services expands across industries.
The scale of the planned investment places it among the most ambitious infrastructure projects ever announced in the technology sector.
It also highlights the accelerating convergence of energy systems, industrial planning and artificial intelligence development.
