Japanese investment powerhouse focused on AI bets and tech portfolios
SoftBank has announced a €75bn plan to build AI data centres in northern France and to develop up to 5GW of capacity by 2031. Governments and companies are tightening domestic energy plans in response, prompting talks on interconnectors, local refineries and nuclear or modular-reactor options to meet the data centres’ huge electricity demand.
Funds are flowing into India's AI and data infrastructure, with CPP Investments buying a stake in CtrlS and backing a joint venture to expand hyperscale data centers. Sarvam raises to push sovereign AI platforms; Coram and Neura Robotics show ongoing growth in physical AI and robotics. The wave signals India’s push to become a global AI infrastructure hub.
The expansion of AI data centers is meeting increasing resistance from communities, with regulators considering moratoriums and bans while tech giants defend efficiency gains and transparency. New disclosures show progress toward water-use goals, but concerns about environmental impact persist.
Markets are stabilising after a stretch of high activity in tech options, with traders shifting focus as implied volatility cools. Small caps are leading potential next moves, while global equities reflect a policy-led, carry-friendly regime.
The AI industry has reached a tipping point as hyperscalers project rising returns from chips and data centers. New analyses forecast trillions in 2026 revenue to justify the AI build-out, even as token costs and cheaper models pressure profitability.
Nvidia is in negotiations to back financing for a 10-gigawatt OpenAI data-center campus in Ohio, a move that would guarantee lease and construction debt but not chip costs. The deal signals intensified funding activity around AI infrastructure as the industry pushes to scale compute capacity.