SoftBank Proposes $1 Trillion AI and Robotics Hub in Arizona, Seeks Partnership with TSMC

SoftBank Group Corp. founder Masayoshi Son is reportedly working to launch an ambitious $1 trillion industrial complex in Arizona focused on robotics and artificial intelligence, according to a Bloomberg report citing unnamed sources. The project, still in its early stages, aims to position the United States as a global leader in AI infrastructure and manufacturing capabilities.

SoftBank has initiated discussions with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) to explore a potential partnership in the development. However, the level of TSMC’s interest remains uncertain. In addition, SoftBank representatives have met with U.S. federal and state officials to explore incentives such as tax breaks for companies investing in the complex. Talks have reportedly included conversations with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick.

The proposed investment would dwarf other ongoing AI infrastructure initiatives, including the $500 billion "Stargate" project—a collaboration between SoftBank, OpenAI, and Oracle to expand U.S. data center capacity.

While SoftBank has not issued a public statement on the matter, and TSMC, the White House, and the U.S. Department of Commerce have not yet responded to inquiries, the scale of the proposal underscores the intensifying race to build next-generation AI infrastructure in the U.S.