SoftBank Group officially announced on May 31 plans to invest up to €75 billion ($87 billion) in AI data centers across France — the largest AI infrastructure commitment in European history. SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son brokered the deal directly with French President Emmanuel Macron during the latter's state visit to Japan.
What Happened
SoftBank plans to build 5 gigawatts of AI data center capacity in France by 2031. The first phase involves a €45 billion investment across three sites in the Hauts-de-France region: Dunkirk (Loon-Plage), Bosquel, and Bouchain. The company describes this as its largest AI infrastructure investment outside Japan.
Why It Matters
In the global race for AI computing power, Europe has long lagged behind the United States and Asia. SoftBank's commitment signals that gap is closing fast. At €75 billion, the investment eclipses the EU's total AI infrastructure spending in previous years. SoftBank is also a major shareholder and customer of OpenAI, meaning these data centers are directly connected to the needs of the world's most capable AI models.
The Diplomatic Backstory
The deal is the product of personal diplomacy between Macron and Masayoshi Son. For France, it is a bet on becoming Europe's AI capital and generating high-skilled employment. For SoftBank, it marks a strategic pivot from venture bets to direct infrastructure investments that will underpin the AI economy. France's competitive edge: access to cheap, low-carbon nuclear power — a critical resource for energy-hungry data centers.
What Comes Next
The first sites have received government approval and are expected to deliver capacity by 2031. If the full plan is realized, France will command 5 GW of AI compute, placing it among the world's top data center hubs. Other EU countries will likely accelerate their own negotiations with American and Asian tech giants, unwilling to be left behind in the AI infrastructure race.
