SoftBank's $4 Billion Acquisition of DigitalBridge to Bolster AI Efforts

SoftBank Group is set to take over DigitalBridge, a digital infrastructure investor, in a significant $4 billion transaction. This move is part of SoftBank's aggressive strategy to enhance the construction of data centers and increase global connectivity, essential elements for AI development.

With AI transforming various sectors globally, there's an increasing demand for advanced computational resources, greater connectivity, power solutions, and scalable infrastructure, stated Masayoshi Son, the Chairman and CEO of SoftBank Group.

This acquisition signals SoftBank's commitment to controlling the foundational infrastructure essential for AI, particularly as the demand for computing resources becomes more competitive.

Even after the acquisition, DigitalBridge will continue operating as an independent platform under the leadership of its CEO, Marc Ganzi.

The transaction is anticipated to reach completion by the latter half of 2026, contingent on regulatory approvals being secured.

This strategic move coincides with SoftBank's evolving focus on AI investments. Recently, the firm sold assets worth close to $6 billion, and according to Yoshimitsu Goto, SoftBank's CFO, this decision was unrelated to the valuation of Nvidia but was instead motivated by a desire to reallocate capital towards OpenAI.

SoftBank is also gearing up to conclude its investment in OpenAI by the year's end as it continues to prioritize infrastructure investments that integrate AI into practical applications, ranging from data centers to robotic technology.