SoftBank is reportedly studying a potential acquisition of data center operator Switch and other targets.

According to informed sources, SoftBank Group is studying the potential acquisition of data center operator Switch Inc. and other targets. Billionaire founder Masayoshi Son is intensifying efforts to seek deals to help keep up with the trend of AI-driven digital infrastructure boom. Informed sources revealed that the Japanese company has held discussions with Switch management and conducted due diligence on the privately held company. As the information has not been made public, the sources requested anonymity. Additionally, according to media reports last week, SoftBank has also engaged in deep discussions with DigitalBridge Group Inc., one of the major private equity investors in a potential acquisition of Switch. Son has been searching for ways to play a larger role in the AI competition, where SoftBank's longstanding business partner NVIDIA has risen in status to become one of the world's most valuable companies. Acquiring Switch, which focuses on designing and operating energy-efficient data centers, will help this Japanese billionaire control a key bottleneck in AI development. Representatives of SoftBank, Switch, and DigitalBridge all declined to comment.