SoftBank (SFTBY, Financial) is plotting a $1 trillion AI hub in Arizona alongside TSMC (TSM, Financial) and the Trump administration to onshore advanced manufacturing, Bloomberg reported.
The proposal—dubbed “Project Crystal Land”—would mirror Shenzhen's industrial park model by hosting AI-powered robot assembly lines and high-tech chip fabrication facilities.
Son has held talks with Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo on tax incentives for companies that set up shop there, and has quietly approached Samsung and Vision Fund portfolio firms about establishing factories within the complex.
SoftBank's own Vision Fund led a $40 billion funding round in OpenAI earlier this year, signaling its appetite for deepening U.S. AI ties, and SFTBY shares are up 3.4% year-to-date, reflecting investor enthusiasm for the vision.
Despite the fanfare, TSMC's exact role remains unconfirmed, and much hinges on federal sign-off under President Trump's industrial revival agenda and support from Arizona's state government.
Son's pitch aligns with Washington's push to reduce reliance on overseas supply chains, but critics caution that building a trillion-dollar ecosystem from scratch could face hurdles from local regulators, labor shortages and capital intensity.
Still, if SoftBank secures carve-outs on corporate taxes and streamlined permitting, Project Crystal Land could set a new benchmark for tech reshoring.
Why it matters: Investors should watch for government backing and corporate commitments that will drive SoftBank's capital allocation and influence SFTBY's growth trajectory in the U.S. AI market.
Closing: Market participants will be looking for formal announcements on tax-break packages and partnering agreements as Son's plan moves from pitch to planning.
