SoftBank Group is making a significant investment in AI infrastructure across Europe, planning to construct and manage an impressive 5 gigawatts of AI data center capacity in France. This potential investment, which could reach as high as €75 billion, aims to meet the increasing demand for high-performance computing and position France as a key player in Europe’s artificial intelligence infrastructure landscape. According to an official announcement, the initial phase of this project will see an investment of €45 billion, resulting in 3.1 GW of AI data center capacity in the Hauts-de-France region by 2031. The planned sites include Bosquel, Bouchain, and Dunkirk, with further locations under consideration throughout the country. This news was unveiled at the Choose France summit, organized by President Emmanuel Macron. The investment will enhance access to computing resources for AI firms, enterprises, cloud service providers, public institutions, and research organizations. Masayoshi Son, Chairman and CEO of SoftBank, commented, “We are entering a transformative era for AI, and the countries that establish the necessary infrastructure will lead the way in technology, industry, and society. SoftBank is honored to invest in France, a nation well-equipped with industrial capabilities, skilled talent, and ambitious goals to become a premier AI infrastructure hub in Europe.” Furthermore, this initiative is expected to generate thousands of high-skilled job opportunities in fields such as engineering, data center development, robotics, operations, maintenance, and advanced manufacturing.
