In a significant move to cement its position in the artificial intelligence revolution, SoftBank Group has announced a deal to acquire DigitalBridge Group for a staggering $4 billion. The Japanese investment conglomerate confirmed the agreement on Monday, marking a major expansion of its digital infrastructure portfolio as it seeks to capitalise on the booming AI sector.
Strategic Shift Towards AI Infrastructure
The acquisition represents a calculated strategic pivot for SoftBank, orchestrated by its billionaire founder Masayoshi Son. Son has been vocal about positioning the company at the heart of what he describes as a once-in-a-generation technological shift. By acquiring DigitalBridge, SoftBank is securing critical physical assets needed to support advanced AI development, specifically the vast computing capacity and data infrastructure that underpins AI applications.
DigitalBridge is a heavyweight in digital infrastructure investment, managing approximately $108 billion in assets as of 30 September. The firm, which rebranded from Colony Capital in 2021 under CEO Marc Ganzi, holds a diverse portfolio including:
- Data centres (such as Vantage Data Centers)
- Fibre networks (including Zayo)
- Cell towers and small-cell systems
- Edge infrastructure assets (like AtlasEdge and Switch)
Building the Foundation for AI's Future
This deal is the latest in a series of aggressive investments by SoftBank into the AI ecosystem. The company is already a key partner in the ambitious Stargate project, a multi-billion dollar computing initiative alongside OpenAI, Oracle, and Abu Dhabi's MGX. In September, the consortium revealed plans to construct five new large-scale computing sites across Texas, New Mexico, and Ohio, with a combined power capacity of around 7 gigawatts.
Following the acquisition, DigitalBridge will continue to operate as a separately managed platform under the leadership of its current CEO, Marc Ganzi. This structure allows SoftBank to integrate the firm's expertise and vast asset network while maintaining its operational focus. The transaction deepens SoftBank's exposure to the entire digital value chain, from data transmission to storage and processing.
A Vision for Technological Dominance
For Masayoshi Son and SoftBank, the DigitalBridge purchase is more than a simple asset acquisition; it's a foundational bet on the future of technology. The move underscores a clear corporate strategy: to control the essential infrastructure upon which the next wave of AI innovation will be built. By securing stakes in data centres, fibre optics, and edge computing, SoftBank is not just investing in companies but in the very plumbing of the digital age.
This deal signals intensifying competition among global investors to secure a foothold in the high-stakes AI infrastructure market. As demand for computing power surges, ownership of the physical assets that enable AI development becomes increasingly valuable, positioning SoftBank with a potentially decisive advantage in the years to come.
