The initiative is part of SoftBank’s broader AI strategy, which includes ventures like the Stargate Initiative in the U.S. and significant investments in OpenAI, underscoring SoftBank’s push for massive computing capacity.

SoftBank unveils a bold plan to invest up to €75 billion (about $87 billion) to build AI data centers in France, aiming to create five gigawatts of computing capacity and establish France as Europe’s leading AI infrastructure hub.

France’s status as an energy producer and exporter and President Macron’s personal commitment to economic success are cited as crucial factors underpinning the data center strategy.

Questions remain about financing feasibility, with reports that SoftBank may have scaled back a $6 billion OpenAI-backed credit from an earlier $10 billion target due to investor hesitancy.

The initiative underscores Europe’s challenge to catch up with the United States in AI innovation while balancing rapid advancement with regulatory considerations.

Industry officials caution that the initial 3.1 GW will not be operational until 2031, with energy policy likely to shape how AI infrastructure is geographically deployed.

Schneider Electric will partner on the project, contributing design and equipment from a Dunkirk-based factory to support the buildout.

Despite ambitious plans, some large AI projects in Europe have stalled, highlighting that Europe still lags behind the U.S. in building extensive AI data center networks.

SoftBank’s plan comes amid broader U.S. resistance to more data centers over environmental and grid concerns, even as the group pursues a separate Ohio project powered by a new 9.2 gigawatt natural gas plant.

SoftBank views the France project as a cornerstone of a global AI infrastructure rollout, intended to diversify and expand its AI-revenue streams beyond flagship ventures.

The plan targets AI firms, cloud providers, enterprises, and research institutions needing high-performance computing capacity, positioning France as a key node in Europe’s AI ecosystem.

Dunkirk’s geographic proximity to London, Brussels, and Amsterdam enhances Europe-wide distribution of AI services and supports the project’s strategic footprint.