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SoftBank Deepens AI Infrastructure Investments In Europe

During a recent interview with CNBC in Paris, SoftBank Group CEO Masayoshi Son said the ongoing artificial intelligence revolution could have an impact up to 50 times greater than the dot-com boom, underscoring the company’s growing commitment to AI infrastructure and technology investments.

Revolutionary Investment Scale

Speaking with CNBC’s Arjun Kharpal, Son compared the current AI wave to the early growth of the internet, arguing that the long-term implications could be significantly larger. Reflecting on the dot-com crash, he noted that while markets experienced a sharp correction, the internet ultimately transformed industries worldwide. Son suggested that AI could follow a similar trajectory, with periods of volatility outweighed by long-term technological adoption.

Billion-Dollar Data Center Project In Europe

SoftBank recently announced plans to invest €75 billion (approximately $87 billion) in AI infrastructure in France. The project includes the development of 3.1 GW of AI data centre capacity in the Hauts-de-France region by 2031, covering locations including Dunkirk, Bosquel and Bouchain.

During a briefing alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, Son said the initiative would primarily rely on project financing, supported by expected long-term demand from customers and partners. The investment extends SoftBank’s AI infrastructure strategy from the United States into Europe.

Strategic Partnerships And Portfolio Balance

Alongside its European expansion, SoftBank continues to deepen its involvement in AI infrastructure projects globally. The group is a key partner in the Stargate initiative, which aims to develop large-scale AI infrastructure in the United States in collaboration with OpenAI. Addressing concerns about concentration risk, Son said OpenAI accounts for slightly more than 20% of SoftBank’s net asset value, while British chip designer Arm remains the company’s largest holding, representing more than 50% of its portfolio.

Looking Ahead

SoftBank’s growing investments in AI infrastructure reflect the company’s expectation that demand for computing power will continue to accelerate over the coming years. Through projects in Europe and the United States, as well as strategic investments across the AI ecosystem, SoftBank is positioning itself to benefit from what Son believes will be one of the most significant technological shifts since the rise of the internet.

Cyberattacks On Governments, Infrastructure And Businesses Shape 2026

Cybersecurity has become an increasingly prominent issue in 2026 as cyber incidents continue to affect governments, businesses and critical infrastructure worldwide. Recent attacks have targeted sectors ranging from healthcare and education to energy and public administration, highlighting the growing impact of cyber threats on economic activity and national security.

Questions Remain Over DOGE’s Access To Social Security Data

More than a year after individuals linked to the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) gained access to systems at the Social Security Administration, questions remain about how sensitive data was handled. Court proceedings are ongoing following allegations that a copy of the Social Security database was transferred to an external server, potentially exposing personal information belonging to millions of Americans.

According to legal filings, the Social Security Administration has acknowledged uncertainty regarding the contents of the server. Lawmakers have warned that, if confirmed, the incident could rank among the largest data breaches involving government records in U.S. history.

Hackers Increasingly Target Water Systems And Energy Grids

Cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure have continued across Europe, including incidents affecting energy networks and water systems. Authorities in Poland, Sweden and Norway have reported attacks linked to groups believed to be acting in support of Russian interests. At the same time, tensions in the Middle East have heightened concerns about cyber threats to critical infrastructure, particularly privately operated utilities with limited cybersecurity resources.

Iranian Government Hackers Target Stryker

In March, Iranian hackers reportedly carried out a cyberattack against medical technology company Stryker, wiping thousands of employee devices. The incident, attributed to a group linked to Iranian intelligence, disrupted operations and affected the company’s first-quarter financial performance.

Instructure Among Shinyhunters’ Disruptive Hacking Campaigns

The hacking group ShinyHunters has continued to rely on voice phishing techniques to gain access to corporate networks. One of the most prominent incidents involved education technology company Instructure, whose Canvas learning management platform was breached.

The attack exposed personal information belonging to more than 30 million users and disrupted academic schedules during examination periods. Other reported victims include Charter, Carnival and organisations operating in the finance and public sectors.

Supply Chain Attacks Continue To Target Technology Companies

Software supply chains have remained a major target for cybercriminals. Security researchers have linked a series of attacks to compromises involving tools and platforms used by software developers, including Aqua Security’s Trivy, Bitwarden and Checkmarx. Such incidents can have wider consequences across the technology industry because compromised software updates may provide attackers with access to credentials and internal systems.

FBI Reports Major Cyber Incident

The Federal Bureau of Investigation was compelled to declare a “major cyber incident” in April after one of its surveillance systems was breached by actors believed to be linked to Chinese intelligence. This breach, which reportedly exposed the phone numbers of individuals under surveillance, has raised serious concerns about national security and the integrity of federal surveillance operations.

Hasbro Faces Operational Disruptions Following Cyberattack

Toy manufacturer Hasbro experienced weeks of operational disruption after detecting a cyberattack in late March. The company reported website outages and other operational challenges before confirming in May that the attackers had been removed from affected systems. Regulatory filing delays and other business impacts are expected to continue in the near term.

Millions Of Identity Documents Exposed

Several data exposure incidents reported during the year affected systems used for identity verification and customer onboarding. Cases involving a hotel check-in platform, a money transfer service, a prison communications provider and a UK visa portal exposed passports, driver’s licences and other identification documents belonging to more than two million people. The incidents have raised concerns about the security of personal information collected as part of identity verification requirements.

Growing Focus On Cybersecurity

The incidents reported throughout 2026 demonstrate the increasing impact of cyber threats across both public and private sectors. As organisations continue investing in digital infrastructure and artificial intelligence, cybersecurity remains a central concern for governments, businesses and critical service providers.

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