SoftBank Group is deepening its commitment to artificial intelligence through a $4 billion purchase of DigitalBridge Group, both companies confirmed. The acquisition represents founder Masayoshi Son’s continued dedication to establishing SoftBank as the preeminent investor in infrastructure supporting AI development.
This purchase dramatically expands SoftBank’s footprint in digital infrastructure, which provides the foundational computing, storage, and networking capabilities for AI applications. Son has been systematically redirecting SoftBank’s portfolio toward artificial intelligence, recognizing the once-in-a-generation opportunity created by the technology. The surging demand for computing resources to support AI systems has created substantial value in infrastructure sectors, which DigitalBridge’s portfolio comprehensively captures.
DigitalBridge’s investment focus encompasses essential digital infrastructure categories including datacenter facilities, telecommunications tower networks, fiber optic systems, small-cell infrastructure, and edge computing platforms. The company’s holdings feature well-known entities such as Vantage Data Centers, Zayo, Switch, and AtlasEdge. The firm’s journey from its 1991 founding as Colony Capital, a traditional real estate investor, to its current incarnation occurred under CEO Marc Ganzi, who led the strategic pivot away from property investments and the 2021 rebrand.
Marc Ganzi will continue leading DigitalBridge as CEO following the purchase, with the platform maintaining operational independence. The magnitude of SoftBank’s deepened commitment is evident in the scale: DigitalBridge had roughly $108 billion in assets under management as of the end of September, making it one of the premier dedicated investors in digital infrastructure globally. This gives SoftBank immediate access to substantial assets and specialized expertise.
SoftBank’s AI infrastructure investments extend across multiple initiatives. The company is a founding member of the Stargate project, working with OpenAI, Oracle, and MGX, an investment firm based in Abu Dhabi. Stargate represents a multi-billion-dollar commitment to building large-scale computing infrastructure optimized for advanced AI development. Current plans include five new computing sites in Texas, New Mexico, and Ohio designed for approximately 7 gigawatts of combined power capacity.
