SoftBank to spend $87.5bn on AI centres in France: Son

SoftBank will invest 75 billion euros ($87.5 billion) on AI infrastructure in France, Masayoshi Son disclosed to La Tribune Dimanche ahead of a Macron-led investment conference. The plan includes 45 billion euros by 2031 for data centers in Hauts-de-France, with Schneider Electric partnering on equipment and construction, including a Dunkirk factory. The project aims to lift data-center capacity from about 1.5 GW at end-2025 to an initial 3.0 GW, potentially rising to 5.0 GW in a second phase. France lists 35 venues for energy and infrastructure. Son highlighted France’s status as an energy exporter as critical for AI investment.