SoftBank expands AI infrastructure ambitions with $4B DigitalBridge acquisition

SoftBank Group has announced plans to acquire DigitalBridge Group, an asset manager specializing in digital infrastructure investments such as data centers, cell towers, and fiber networks, in a deal valued at $4 billion. The acquisition underscores SoftBank’s aggressive strategy to dominate the next wave of AI infrastructure globally.

SoftBank said the acquisition is part of its mission to realize Artificial Super Intelligence (ASI), a vision that goes beyond current AI capabilities.

“Achieving that vision requires breakthroughs not only in AI models, but also in the platform infrastructure needed to train, deploy, and serve them at a global scale. The planned acquisition of DigitalBridge will strengthen SoftBank Group’s ability to build, scale, and finance the foundational infrastructure needed for next-generation AI services and applications,” SoftBank said in a statement.

SoftBank’s endless appetite for AI

The deal adds another piece to SoftBank’s growing AI puzzle. The Japanese conglomerate has been pouring billions into AI-related ventures, betting that the future of computing will be defined by massive data processing and connectivity.

Its most ambitious initiative so far is Project Stargate, a $500-billion AI infrastructure project aimed at creating hyperscale data centers and advanced compute platforms. SoftBank has already committed $342 billion to the project over the next four years, despite facing delays in execution.

Earlier this year, SoftBank acquired Ampere Computing for $6.5 billion, strengthening its position in the Arm-based server processor market — a critical component for AI workloads. SoftBank already holds a significant stake in Arm Holdings, the chip designer powering much of today’s mobile and AI computing.

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.

The article first appeared on NetworkWorld.