Japan’s SoftBank Group plans to invest 45 billion euros ($53 billion) over the next five years in France to build artificial intelligence infrastructure.
The company said the goal is to expand AI data center capacity and support fast growth in the AI sector. This investment is part of a larger 75-billion-euro plan that aims to create 5 gigawatts of AI data center power in France.
SoftBank plans 75 billion euros of AI investments in France, as Europe struggles to catch up with U.S. and China https://t.co/QbdlTTddS1 #technology #digital #transformation pic.twitter.com/OkJC1KISbL
— Paul Lopez (@lopezunwired) May 31, 2026
Soft Bank said the first phase will focus on building 3.1 gigawatts of AI data centers in northern France. The sites will be in Hauts-de-France, including Dunkirk, Bosquel, and Bouchain.
The project is expected to be completed by 2031. The company said this will be its biggest AI infrastructure investment in Europe. It also said the plan will help increase access to high-performance computing in France.
Japan Soft Bank CEO Masayoshi Son said AI is entering a new phase. He added that countries building strong infrastructure now will shape the future of technology and industry.
He said France is a strong choice because of its talent, industry base, and national focus on innovation. SoftBank will also work with French engineering company Schneider Electric to build a large industrial production hub in Dunkirk.
The announcement comes as SoftBank becomes Japan’s most valuable company, passing Toyota in market value. Its shares have also risen sharply this year, driven by strong expectations around AI investments. The company has major stakes in Arm Holdings and OpenAI, which also benefit from the global AI boom.
However, Europe faces challenges in the race to lead in AI. High energy costs are making it harder to build and run large data centers. This is pushing companies to carefully choose locations within Europe. Report say countries with lower electricity prices may attract more AI projects in the future.
