In 2024, SoftBank added Graphcore, an AI chip designer, to its portfolio and continues to invest in leading AI players such as OpenAI and Nvidia.
AI-driven growth in data centers
The surge in AI and machine learning workloads has triggered an unprecedented boom in global data center investments. Hyperscalers like AWS, Google, Microsoft, and Oracle are committing hundreds of billions to expand their infrastructure to meet soaring compute demands.
In a landmark deal, Oracle signed a $300-billion contract in September to support OpenAI’s cloud computing requirements, marking the largest-ever cloud agreement.
According to UBS, global AI spending is projected to reach $375 billion in 2025, grow to $500 billion in 2026, and exceed $3 trillion by 2030. This spending encompasses AI data centers, power generation, and resource allocation — areas where SoftBank aims to capture significant market share.
For SoftBank, DigitalBridge brings expertise in managing and scaling digital infrastructure assets, including data centers and fiber networks — critical components for AI-driven computing. By integrating DigitalBridge’s capabilities, SoftBank says it can accelerate its infrastructure build-out, ensuring it remains at the forefront of the AI revolution.
