SoftBank pledges at least $52 billion to build a 5-gigawatt nuclear-powered AI data center network in France

FT: SoftBank just pledged €75B to build Europe’s largest AI computing facility in France, turning cheap, stable nuclear-heavy power into the raw fuel for training and running bigger AI systems. The plan starts with €45B for 3.1GW of capacity in Hauts-de-France by 2031, then adds another 2GW, creating a 5GW AI complex roughly comparable to the power draw of a major city. Dunkirk is the anchor site, with Schneider Electric expected to help build an AI infrastructure and robotics manufacturing hub around the project. The weak point is financing, because industry estimates put 1GW of AI infrastructure near $50B, meaning SoftBank will probably need heavy project debt and outside partners. --- ft .com/content/1022f9bd-5b6d-44a5-9303-c8b05b8c6463?syn-25a6b1a6=1