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Masayoshi Son is apparently not done writing checks with a lot of zeros. The SoftBank founder and CEO is in active discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron about building a massive AI data center in France, with the price tag potentially climbing toward $100 billion.
The talks were confirmed on May 11, 2026, and a formal announcement could come during the upcoming Choose France Summit, an annual event where Macron rolls out the red carpet for foreign investors.
France wants in on the AI infrastructure gold rush
The Choose France Summit has become Macron’s signature move for luring global capital, designed to position France as the EU’s most business-friendly destination, particularly for tech companies looking to plant flags in Europe.
The final investment figure may shift depending on Son’s other global commitments.
Son’s AI spending spree puts this in perspective
SoftBank has already committed $500 billion to an AI data center project in Ohio. That facility alone is designed to deliver 10 gigawatts of power capacity, with $33 billion earmarked for a gas plant to fuel the operation. To put 10 gigawatts in English: that’s enough electricity to power roughly 7.5 million homes.
Then there’s the Stargate project, a $500 billion joint venture with OpenAI and Oracle aimed at building out AI computing infrastructure across the US.
SoftBank is also reportedly launching Roze, a US-based AI and robotics company focused on data center operations. The company is eyeing a valuation of $100 billion and a potential IPO in 2026.
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