SoftBank Group has acquired control of DigitalBridge, a global digital infrastructure investment firm, in a move that underscores its growing focus on the physical backbone required to support large scale artificial intelligence development. The transaction marks a strategic shift toward ownership of assets such as data centres, fibre networks and towers that are increasingly critical to powering advanced AI systems.
DigitalBridge operates across data centres, cell towers, small cells and fibre infrastructure, providing the physical foundations that support cloud computing, connectivity and data intensive workloads. By gaining control of the company, SoftBank is positioning itself to play a deeper role in the infrastructure layer that underpins artificial intelligence, cloud services and next generation digital platforms.
The acquisition reflects SoftBank’s evolving investment thesis around AI. While the group has previously focused on stakes in AI driven software and platform companies, the move toward infrastructure highlights recognition that compute capacity, storage and connectivity are now central bottlenecks in AI growth. Large language models and autonomous systems require massive data processing power that depends on specialised data centres and network infrastructure.
Industry observers see the deal as aligned with SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son’s long stated vision of artificial intelligence reshaping the global economy. In recent years, Son has spoken about AI as a transformative force comparable to the industrial revolution. Control over the physical systems that enable AI computation is increasingly viewed as a strategic advantage in that future.
DigitalBridge’s portfolio spans multiple geographies, giving SoftBank exposure to infrastructure assets across North America, Europe and emerging markets. These assets support hyperscale cloud providers, telecom operators and enterprise customers. As demand for AI workloads accelerates, data centres and fibre networks are experiencing heightened interest from investors seeking long term stable returns.
The transaction also highlights a broader trend of convergence between technology investment and infrastructure ownership. As AI models grow in size and complexity, reliance on cloud infrastructure has intensified. Companies developing AI systems are competing for access to compute resources, while governments and enterprises are prioritising digital resilience and data sovereignty.
SoftBank’s move comes amid growing competition among global investors to secure infrastructure that can support AI expansion. Data centres in particular have become a focal point, driven by rising demand from cloud service providers and AI developers. Control over such assets can influence pricing, availability and geographic distribution of compute power.
From a financial perspective, infrastructure assets offer relatively predictable cash flows compared to venture investments, which can be volatile. For SoftBank, which has experienced fluctuations in the value of its technology portfolio, greater exposure to infrastructure may help balance risk while maintaining strategic alignment with AI growth.
The acquisition of DigitalBridge also suggests a longer term view of AI development that extends beyond software innovation. While advances in algorithms and models capture attention, the physical constraints of energy consumption, cooling and network latency are becoming critical considerations. Infrastructure capable of supporting high density compute loads is essential for sustaining AI progress.
Energy usage is another key factor driving interest in AI infrastructure. Data centres consume significant power, and the expansion of AI workloads has intensified focus on efficiency and sustainability. Ownership of infrastructure allows greater influence over energy sourcing, design and optimisation, which could become increasingly important as regulatory and environmental scrutiny grows.
For enterprise technology and martech ecosystems, the deal has indirect implications. As AI driven tools become more embedded in marketing, analytics and customer engagement platforms, their performance and scalability depend on robust infrastructure. Investments at the infrastructure level can support more reliable deployment of AI applications across industries.
The acquisition also reflects SoftBank’s intent to shape the broader AI value chain. Rather than relying solely on minority stakes, control over infrastructure assets provides strategic leverage. It allows alignment of long term investment decisions with anticipated AI demand, including where capacity is built and how networks are scaled.
DigitalBridge’s management team is expected to continue operating the business, with SoftBank providing strategic direction and capital support. Maintaining operational continuity is seen as important given the complexity of managing global infrastructure portfolios and relationships with large enterprise and telecom clients.
The deal arrives at a time when governments are paying closer attention to digital infrastructure ownership. National security, data protection and competition considerations are increasingly influencing regulatory oversight. SoftBank’s global footprint means it will need to navigate diverse regulatory environments as it expands its infrastructure presence.
Analysts note that AI infrastructure is likely to remain capital intensive, with ongoing investment required to keep pace with technological change. Specialised chips, cooling systems and network upgrades are necessary to support newer AI models. Infrastructure owners with access to capital and long term investment horizons may be better positioned to adapt.
SoftBank’s acquisition of DigitalBridge can also be seen as a signal to the market that AI growth is entering a more industrial phase. As experimentation gives way to deployment at scale, the importance of physical systems becomes more pronounced. Control over these systems may shape competitive dynamics in the AI economy.
Looking ahead, the transaction could influence how other technology investors approach AI related assets. Increased interest in infrastructure may lead to further consolidation or partnerships as demand for compute and connectivity continues to rise. The balance between software innovation and infrastructure investment is likely to define the next stage of AI development.
For SoftBank, the move reinforces its commitment to building a comprehensive AI ecosystem that spans software, platforms and physical infrastructure. As artificial intelligence continues to expand across sectors, control over its underlying backbone may prove as significant as ownership of the algorithms themselves.