Macron just got France a big 75 billion euro AI push from SoftBank

The Japanese investment holding company SoftBank has announced plans to invest up to €75 billion ($87 billion) in France’s AI infrastructure, including AI data centers. The move represents one of the largest investments in Europe’s AI sector and positions France at the forefront of the region’s AI race.

SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son said up to €45 billion will be allocated to building two AI data centers in Le Bosquel and Dunkirk. Both facilities are expected to become operational by 2028 and 2031, respectively, providing a combined capacity of 3.1 gigawatts. French electrical equipment company Schneider Electric is also partnering with SoftBank on the projects.

APC UPS-maker Schneider Electric's CEO Olivier Blum said France is expected to have roughly 1.5 gigawatts of installed data center capacity by the end of 2025. Following SoftBank’s investments, “there will be an initial phase of 3.0 gigawatts followed by a second phase that could reach up to 5.0.”

As La Tribune Dimanche reported, Son said the decision to invest in France’s AI infrastructure was made following President Emmanuel Macron’s April visit to Tokyo. He added that France’s power-generation capacity, as well as its status as a net energy exporter, was a crucial factor for the investment decision.

Son described the €75 billion investment in France as the “largest investment in Europe in artificial intelligence infrastructure.” The move is also part of France’s broader strategy to catch up with the United States and China in the global AI race and to become the AI hub of Europe.

SoftBank is also a major investor in U.S. AI companies, including OpenAI. The company’s investment arm, Vision Fund, has invested roughly $34.6 billion in OpenAI since September 2024, giving it an 11% stake in the ChatGPT maker. SoftBank is also part of the $500 billion Stargate AI project in the United States, alongside Oracle and OpenAI.