Softbank promises to spend 75 billion euros to build artificial intelligence facilities in France

On May 31, SoftBank promised to invest up to 75 billion euros to build a large artificial intelligence computing cluster network in France. The project will become the largest data center project in Europe. This is also the single largest artificial intelligence investment SoftBank has made outside the United States. People familiar with the matter said that after French President Macron and Masayoshi Son had dinner in Tokyo in early April this year, the two sides quickly finalized the cooperation. Softbank will take the lead in investing 45 billion euros in the first phase, and plans to build 3.1 gigawatts of computing power in Haute-France by 2031, and plans to add 2 gigawatts of computing power in the future. One of the project's core facilities will be launched in Dunkirk, and Softbank will join hands with Schneider Electric to build an artificial intelligence infrastructure and robot manufacturing center here. This location is strategically located and can radiate to customers in London, Brussels, Amsterdam and other places. The entire project plan has finally reached 5 gigawatts. If it is fully completed, SoftBank's total investment will reach approximately 75 billion euros.