SoftBank, the Japanese technology investment group, has announced its intention to invest up to €75 billion in artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure in France. The aim is to develop and operate 5 GW of AI data centre capacity, according to a press release published by the group on Sunday 31 May.
The first phase of the project provides for an initial investment of €45 billion to deploy 3.1 GW of AI data centre capacity in the Hauts-de-France region by 2031. Several sites are planned in Dunkirk (Loon-Plage), Bosquel and Bouchain.
This first announcement comes as part of the 2026 edition of the Choose France summit, organised on Monday 1 June by French President, Emmanuel Macron, who announced a “record” amount of €93 billion in foreign investment at the event.
SoftBank also plans to develop other sites across France and to work with SB Energy, as well as with other strategic partners, to develop these projects. The group’s Chairman and CEO, Masayoshi Son, said: “France is uniquely positioned to become a leading AI infrastructure hub in Europe”.
See the press release: https://aeur.eu/f/m4w (Original version in French by Ana Pisonero Hernández)