SoftBank Group, a leading Japanese technology firm, has unveiled plans to invest up to €75 billion (about $87 billion) in artificial intelligence (AI) data centers across France. This initiative underscores France's emergence as a key hub for advanced tech infrastructure in Europe. The investment will be implemented in phases, with an initial €45 billion allocated to establish 3.1 gigawatts of computing capacity in the Hauts-de-France region, targeting completion by 2031. The first centers will be constructed in Dunkirk, Bosquel, and Bouchain, with additional sites planned nationwide. Schneider Electric SE has already partnered with SoftBank for the Dunkirk facility, which aims to create a manufacturing hub for AI and robotics, facilitating access to major markets in London, Brussels, and Amsterdam. This investment is part of SoftBank's larger strategy, which includes significant projects in the US, such as the $500 billion Stargate Initiative and a similar investment in Ohio, to secure essential computing power for the burgeoning AI sector.