France has successfully attracted €93 billion ($108 billion) in foreign investment, with a significant portion earmarked for a major data center project backed by Japanese tech giant SoftBank. This development is part of President Emmanuel Macron’s strategy to leverage the nation’s nuclear capacity to establish France as a leading player in the global AI sector.

SoftBank’s Major Investment

SoftBank has committed €45 billion to construct three data centers with a combined capacity of 3.1 gigawatts in the Hauts-de-France region by 2031. This investment could potentially increase to €75 billion, according to SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son. The initiative aims to enhance Europe’s AI computing capacity, helping it compete with the U.S. and China.

Son emphasized the importance of this investment, stating, “We are doing that in the U.S. already, so we have the model, we have the momentum, and we can make France the center of Europe for AI. And Europe needs this kind of AI technology.”

France’s Nuclear Advantage

President Macron highlighted the strategic use of France’s nuclear reactors and electricity surplus to attract such investments. “For us, it’s a great achievement,” Macron said, referring to SoftBank’s commitment. “We are clearly bridging the gap we had in computing capacity in Europe.”

The Choose France summit, where these announcements were made, has been a platform for Macron to attract global business leaders and investment since 2018. Over the years, the summit has facilitated the announcement of 231 projects with investment pledges totaling €87 billion.

Global AI Infrastructure Expansion

This investment is part of SoftBank’s broader global strategy to expand AI infrastructure. The company has already invested over $30 billion in OpenAI, acquiring an 11% stake in the ChatGPT developer, and plans to invest an additional $30 billion in 2026. Additionally, SoftBank is leading the $500 billion Stargate project to expand data centers in the United States.

Son’s swift decision to invest in France followed a meeting with Macron in Tokyo, demonstrating the rapid pace at which these deals can materialize. The collaboration underscores the potential for France to become a central hub for AI technology in Europe.

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.