APREX · EST. 2026
SoftBank is taking a historic step into European AI infrastructure. The Japanese technology conglomerate, known for its massive bets on tomorrow's technology, has confirmed plans to invest up to €75 billion in a network of AI data centres in France. The news was reported by the Financial Times and is confirmed by research available to 24AI.
This will be the company's largest single AI investment outside the United States.
Dunkirk, Bosquel and Bouchain at the centre
The first phase of the project amounts to €45 billion and will develop 3.1 gigawatts of AI data capacity in the Hauts-de-France region by 2031. Facilities are planned in the cities of Dunkirk, Bosquel and Bouchain. If the full build-out plan is executed, total capacity will reach 5 gigawatts and the investment will round up to €75 billion.
A central element of the project is a partnership with Schneider Electric on an industrial hub in Dunkirk, focused on AI infrastructure and robotics manufacturing.
Masayoshi Son points to nuclear power and speed
SoftBank founder and CEO Masayoshi Son has, according to the Financial Times, highlighted France as a particularly attractive country for this type of venture. He points to the country's industrial capacity, access to talent and political will as decisive factors — in addition to France's abundant nuclear power supply and the government's fast approval processes for AI facilities.
France is uniquely positioned to become a leading AI infrastructure hub in Europe
A global strategy with the US at its core
SoftBank's global AI strategy extends well beyond France. In the United States, the company is heavily exposed through an investment in OpenAI that is expected to have surpassed $64.6 billion by February 2026 — representing approximately 13 percent ownership in the company behind ChatGPT. SoftBank is also part of the so-called Stargate project, a collaboration with OpenAI and Oracle to build AI infrastructure in the US at an estimated cost of $500 billion.
Japan and Asia not forgotten
In Asia, SoftBank is leading the build-out of a Japanese AI foundation. Through the entity "Japan AI Foundation Model Development," the conglomerate is bringing together around 30 companies — including NEC, Honda, Sony and Fujitsu — with the goal of developing a Japanese AI model tailored to the country's manufacturing data. The plan is to reach a model with one trillion parameters by 2027.
In China, SoftBank's Vision Fund has invested in Zhipu AI, a company developing large language models for the Chinese market.
Analysts warn of balance
Analysts from Omdia, cited in available research, stress that SoftBank's aggressive push could create major business opportunities globally, but also note that the company must balance its long-term growth vision against financial solidity. Much of the gains recorded by Vision Fund in recent quarters have come from OpenAI exposure, not from infrastructure projects that have yet to be completed.
The France project is currently based on SoftBank's own announcements and Financial Times reporting — full confirmation of the financing structure and partners remains outstanding.