SoftBank has announced its ambitious plan to invest as much as €75 billion in France, aiming to construct Europe's most extensive network of artificial intelligence (AI) computing clusters. This move represents SoftBank's largest AI-related investment outside of the United States. In early April of this year, French President Macron and SoftBank's CEO, Masayoshi Son, swiftly reached a cooperation agreement following a dinner meeting in Tokyo, with an initial commitment of €45 billion. The overarching goal is to establish a computing capacity of 3.1 gigawatts in the Hauts-de-France region by 2031, with plans to further expand this capacity by an additional 2 gigawatts.

A pivotal component of this project will be situated in Dunkirk, where SoftBank will partner with Schneider Electric to develop a cutting-edge AI infrastructure and robotics manufacturing hub. Strategically located, this facility will cater to clients across London, Brussels, Amsterdam, and other key areas. The entire project is envisioned to achieve a total computing capacity of 5 gigawatts, solidifying France's position as a leading player in the global AI landscape.