Table of Contents
The acquisition aligns with SoftBank’s long-term ambition to support artificial super intelligence by securing the infrastructure required to train and operate AI models globally
In sum – what to know:
SoftBank deepens AI infrastructure strategy – The $4B acquisition adds data centers, towers and fiber assets critical to scaling global AI platforms.
DigitalBridge remains operationally independent – The firm will continue as a separate platform under CEO Marc Ganzi after the transaction closes.
Deal reflects long-term AI investment cycle – Premium pricing underscores expectations for sustained demand in compute, power and connectivity infrastructure.
Japanese company SoftBank Group has agreed to acquire DigitalBridge Group in a transaction valuing the digital infrastructure investor at approximately $4 billion, strengthening SoftBank’s push to build large-scale platforms for artificial intelligence.
The deal brings DigitalBridge—an alternative asset manager focused on data centers, towers, fiber networks and edge infrastructure—into SoftBank’s expanding AI ecosystem. The acquisition aligns with SoftBank’s long-term ambition to support artificial super intelligence by securing the infrastructure required to train and operate AI models globally.
SoftBank’s chairman and CEO Masayoshi Son said the rapid expansion of AI is driving demand for compute capacity, power and connectivity, making infrastructure a strategic priority. He said DigitalBridge’s expertise will help underpin next-generation AI data centers and support SoftBank’s goal of becoming a leading ASI platform provider.
Meanwhile, DigitalBridge CEO Marc Ganzi said the partnership reflects a shared focus on building and scaling long-term infrastructure assets. He said SoftBank’s capital base and global reach will allow DigitalBridge to invest with greater flexibility and support technology companies as they expand AI deployments.
Under the agreement, SoftBank will acquire all outstanding DigitalBridge shares for $16.00 per share in cash. The transaction was unanimously approved by DigitalBridge’s board following a recommendation from an independent special committee..
DigitalBridge said it will continue operating as a standalone platform under Ganzi’s leadership following the close of the deal, which is expected in the second half of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals.
Last year, Son told shareholders at the company’s annual meeting that SoftBank intends to become the world’s leading platform provider for what he described as “artificial super intelligence” within the next decade.
Son compared the opportunity in superintelligent AI to the “winner takes all” effect seen in other tech sectors over the past two decades.
Artificial super intelligence (ASI) is a hypothetical software-based artificial intelligence (AI) system with an intellectual scope beyond human intelligence. At the most fundamental level, this superintelligent AI has cutting-edge cognitive functions and highly developed thinking skills more advanced than any human.
