The largest AI center in Europe. SoftBank invests 75 billion euros

SoftBank decided to invest up to 75 billion euros to develop the largest center of IA in Europa and which will be based in France. This is revealed in an exclusive from Financial Times. The move marks the company’s largest investment in AI Masayoshi Son outside of United States and gives a push to Emmanuel Macron ahead of the event Choose France on the agenda next week.

The deal was finalized after that Macron e Son they had dinner together Tokyo at the beginning of April. “SoftBank is proud to make this important commitment to France,” Son said. “Thanks to its industrial capabilities, talent pool and national ambition, France is uniquely positioned to become a leading hub for AI infrastructure in Europe,” he added.

The European delay on AI

Il Old Continent is far behind United States, China e Middle East in the construction of enormous ones data center which tech executives say will be needed to meet the skyrocketing demand for computing power for AI. Generally investments tend to flow towards regions that offer lower energy costs, faster network connections and one less rigid regulation.

The project in France

The initial commitment of SoftBank involves an investment of 45 billion euros to build 3.1 gigawatts of capacity in the northern region ofHauts-de-France by 2031with further 2 GW scheduled. One of the main structures in Dunkirk will see SoftBank partner with Schneider Electric to create a hub for AI infrastructure and manufacturing robotics. If completed, the entire complex from 5 GWequivalent to the output of five nuclear power plants or the peak electricity demand of New York Citywill bring the total investment to approx 75 billion euros.

SoftBank Global Strategy

The French project is part of ‘s growing infrastructure portfolio IA by SoftBank, which includes a project by data center da 10 GW in Ohio. The group has allocated further 60 billion dollars of investments in OpenAI and is planning to list companies in the sectors robotics ed energyas well as strengthening the production of semiconductors around the British Arm.

Costs and financing

Industry estimates indicate that the cost of each 1 GW of AI infrastructure and approx 50 billion dollarsincluding land, construction, energy and IT equipment. SoftBank’s plan will therefore depend on financing that he will be able to obtain, with a limited initial contribution in equity capital and a strong component of debt.

Other international projects

In addition to projects in the United States and in FranceSoftBank is part of a consortium that plans to build 5 GW of AI infrastructures Abu Dhabi con G42, OpenAI, Oracle, Nvidia e Cisco.

The role of nuclear energy

For its part, the France boasted of his addiction tonuclear electricity low carbon emissions as one of the strong points to attract customers investors.