SoftBank to launch Roze AI, a venture aimed at automating U.S. data‑centre construction
Japanese multinational SoftBank Group is preparing a new company, Roze AI, to develop automation technology for data‑centre infrastructure. According to reports from the Financial Times and the Wall Street Journal, Roze AI will focus on making the construction of server farms in the United States more efficient by deploying autonomous robots and other AI‑driven tools.
The venture is being positioned for a public offering as early as the second half of 2026. SoftBank executives are reportedly targeting a valuation of around $100 billion for the IPO. The plan reflects SoftBank’s broader strategy of investing in “automation‑first” businesses that can scale across high‑growth sectors.
Roze AI’s core proposition is to reduce the time, cost and labour intensity of data‑centre builds. By integrating robotics into tasks such as equipment installation, cabling and testing, the company aims to shorten project timelines and lower the environmental impact of construction. The initiative aligns with a wider industry trend in which AI and robotics are being applied to traditionally manual processes in the industrial and logistics spaces.
SoftBank’s interest in large‑scale automation is not new. The conglomerate has previously backed several high‑profile startups, including the now‑defunct Zume, an AI‑driven pizza‑delivery venture that collapsed in 2023 after substantial investment. Within SoftBank, however, there are mixed views about Roze AI’s projected valuation and the aggressive timeline for an initial public offering. Some senior staff have expressed concerns that the $100 billion target may be overly optimistic given the nascent stage of the technology.
The move also comes as other technology leaders explore similar strategies. Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon, recently co‑founded Project Prometheus, a startup that intends to acquire companies in heavy‑industry sectors and modernise them with AI solutions. Both Roze AI and Project Prometheus illustrate a growing belief that artificial intelligence and robotics can unlock significant productivity gains in capital‑intensive industries.
SoftBank has not responded to requests for comment from Media Talk Africa. As the company finalises Roze AI’s business plan and prepares for a potential listing, the venture could become a benchmark for how capital‑intensive infrastructure projects are built in the era of automation. Stakeholders will be watching closely to see whether the proposed valuation and timeline are realised, and how the deployment of autonomous construction robots impacts the broader data‑centre market.
