Softbank to build massive data center in Ohio

Japanese technology and telecom giant SoftBank Group said it would build a major new data center in Ohio. The project is aimed at taking advantage of soaring demand for artificial intelligence tools in the United States amid intensifying competition.

The group said the total investment will be 500 billion dollars. Construction is scheduled to start this year. The data center will be powered by a natural gas-fired power plant to be built on the premises. The plant is part of the first round of investments Japan agreed to make in the United States under a bilateral trade and investment deal.