SoftBank is doubling down on artificial intelligence. Just months after revealing its involvement in the $500 billion Stargate AI Infrastructure project—where it is rumored to be contributing $19 billion—the Japanese investment giant is reportedly eyeing an even more ambitious venture.
According to Bloomberg, citing sources familiar with the matter, SoftBank is exploring a partnership with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) to launch a trillion-dollar AI and robotics industrial complex in Arizona.
The effort, dubbed Project Crystal Land, is still in its early stages. While SoftBank is reportedly eager to collaborate with TSMC, Bloomberg notes that the chipmaker’s potential role in the project remains unclear—and it’s not certain TSMC has any interest in joining the initiative, especially as it is already developing its own AI infrastructure projects in Arizona.
Reuters reported on Friday that SoftBank Group (9984.T) founder Masayoshi Son is envisioning the complex as a $1 trillion hub focused on building robots and artificial intelligence. “Son is seeking to team up with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (2330.TW) for the project, which is aimed at bringing back high-end tech manufacturing to the U.S. and to create a version of China’s vast manufacturing hub of Shenzhen,” the report said.
SoftBank officials have reportedly engaged in discussions with both federal and state U.S. government representatives to explore possible tax incentives for companies building factories or investing in the proposed industrial park. Talks have included conversations with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, according to the report.
SoftBank is said to be eager for TSMC’s involvement in Project Crystal Land, but as Bloomberg noted, “it is not clear in what capacity” the Taiwanese firm would participate—“it is also not clear the Taiwanese company would be interested.”
TSMC is already investing heavily in U.S.-based manufacturing, with $165 billion allocated toward building chip production facilities.
Son is also reportedly reaching out to other major tech firms, including Samsung Electronics (005930.KS), as he gauges interest in the project.
The plan remains in the preliminary stage, with feasibility dependent on support from the Trump administration and state officials, the report added.
If realized, the $1 trillion commitment would dwarf that of the $500 billion Stargate project, which aims to expand data center capacity across the U.S. with backing from SoftBank, OpenAI, and Oracle (ORCL.N).
Both SoftBank and TSMC declined to comment on the reports. The White House and U.S. Department of Commerce also did not respond to requests for comment.
The news comes amid a flurry of high-profile investments from SoftBank this year. In March, the company announced a $6.5 billion acquisition of U.S. chip design firm Ampere, and in April it pledged up to $40 billion in new funding for OpenAI—up to $10 billion of which is expected to be syndicated to other investors.
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