SHIFT · EU
SoftBank to build 3.1 GW of AI data centers in France by 2031
Japan's SoftBank announced a plan to construct 3.1 gigawatts of AI-optimized data center capacity in northern France over the next five years, responding to EU digital sovereignty demands and high energy costs in the region.
WHY IT MATTERS
Major offshore AI infrastructure play in Europe signals confidence in EU AI Act compliance; European banks can now partner with in-region inference providers, reducing US data residency friction and regulatory uncertainty.
Source: CNBC · 2026-06-03