SoftBank’s Son Says Ohio Data Center to Be $500 Billion Project

SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son unveiled plans for a $500 billion data center campus in Ohio, calling it the largest U.S. construction project ever. The facility will focus on AI infrastructure, marking a historic investment in computational power. The project involves dedicated on-site gas plants to power the data center, addressing energy demands for AI workloads. Energy Secretary Chris Wright joined the announcement, signaling federal support for the initiative’s energy strategy. Ohio Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick emphasized the project’s economic scale, framing it as transformative for the state’s tech and infrastructure sectors. Local officials anticipate job creation and long-term growth. Son’s vision ties to SoftBank’s broader AI ambitions, positioning Ohio as a global hub for next-gen computing. The campus will likely integrate quantum-classical hybrid systems to support advanced AI research. The 2026 announcement underscores accelerating competition in AI infrastructure, with private and public sectors collaborating on unprecedented energy-intensive tech projects. Timelines and partners remain undisclosed.