Brookfield to Invest €20 Billion in French AI Infrastructure

Canadian investment firm Brookfield has announced plans to invest €20 billion in France by 2030, focusing on the development of data centers crucial for artificial intelligence. This investment was confirmed by sources close to the deal and reported by La Tribune Dimanche. The agreement was finalized on January 31 between Brookfield's CEO Bruce Flatt and French President Emmanuel Macron.

The majority of the investment, approximately €15 billion, will be allocated to building new data centers, including a significant project in Cambrai, located in the north of France. This facility is expected to be a centerpiece of the investment, with a capacity of up to one gigawatt. The remaining €5 billion will be used for associated infrastructure, such as energy generators necessary for the operation of these power-intensive data centers.

This announcement comes ahead of the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit in Paris, where global leaders in politics and technology will convene. The investment is part of a broader trend of significant financial commitments to AI infrastructure in France, which could total €83 billion in the coming years, as reported by various sources. Other notable investments include a planned AI campus by the United Arab Emirates and contributions from local companies like Bpifrance and Iliad.