Why SoftBank is Betting 75 Billion Euros on AI in France and What It Means for the Future
SoftBank's CEO Masayoshi Son envisions AI as a transformative force, investing 75 billion euros in France to build Europe's largest AI infrastructure, signaling a significant shift in global technological priorities.
SoftBank Group's Chief Executive, Masayoshi Son, has made a bold prediction: the artificial intelligence (AI) revolution will be "50 times bigger" than the dot-com boom of the late 1990s and early 2000s. Describing AI as the most significant technological shift humanity has experienced, Son's vision shines a spotlight on the future of AI as a transformative force.
In line with this vision, SoftBank has announced plans to invest up to 75 billion euros in AI infrastructure in France, marking the company's largest AI investment in Europe. Speaking in Paris, Son drew parallels between the current stage of AI development and the early days of the internet, suggesting that while the dot-com crash caused temporary setbacks, the internet continued to reshape economies and societies for decades. He believes AI holds the potential to generate an even greater transformation across industries, governments, and everyday life.
The investment will involve developing up to five gigawatts of AI data center capacity in France. The first phase of this ambitious project will see an investment of 45 billion euros to build 3.1 gigawatts of capacity in the Hauts-de-France region by 2031. Additional projects could potentially raise the total investment to 75 billion euros. This project will include major facilities in Dunkirk, Bosquel, and Bouchain, providing the computing power necessary for advanced AI systems. SoftBank is collaborating with partners like Schneider Electric and French energy giant EDF to bring this vision to fruition.
French President Emmanuel Macron, who has been keen to position France as a leading European hub for artificial intelligence, highlighted this investment at the Choose France summit. French officials have noted the country’s strong nuclear-powered electricity network as a key advantage for energy-intensive AI data centers. Son acknowledges that AI markets might experience corrections, but he views such periods as part of a long-term technological progression cycle. He maintains that AI is at the beginning of a development cycle that could reshape the global economy similarly to how the internet has over the past three decades.
This large-scale investment forms part of SoftBank’s broader global AI strategy, which includes significant investments in AI infrastructure and increased involvement in projects linked to OpenAI. As AI continues to evolve, investments like these highlight the potential for AI to drive innovation and economic growth, setting the stage for a future where AI is integral to industries and societies worldwide.