SoftBank is seeking to launch a $1 trillion industrial complex in Arizona to build AI and robotics

SoftBank Group founder Masayoshi Son is reportedly looking to launch a $1 trillion industrial complex in Arizona to build AI and robotics. The institution is also looking to partner with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) to launch the project.

According to the report, the project dubbed Project Crystal Land, appears to still be in its early stages. Son said he is also not sure what TSMC’s role would be despite SoftBank’s desire to work with the firm on the project. He argued that TSMC would be interested in joining forces with Softbank since it already has its infrastructure projects in Arizona in the works.

SoftBank advances its interest in chip manufacturing

$IREN SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son is envisaging setting up a $1 trillion industrial complex in Arizona that will build robots and artificial intelligence, Bloomberg reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter.

Son is seeking to team up with Taiwan Semiconductor… pic.twitter.com/hMAiwXQkYp

— 𝒰𝓂𝒷𝒾𝓈𝒶𝓂 (@Umbisam) June 20, 2025

Son said he envisions a version of the manufacturing hub of China’s Shenzhen that would bring back high-tech manufacturing to the U.S. The report also revealed that SoftBank officials have spoken with U.S. federal and state government officials to discuss possible tax breaks for companies building factories or otherwise investing in the industrial park. The statement also alleged that there were talks with the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnick.

The report disclosed that Son is also sounding out interest among tech companies, including Samsung Electronics. It revealed that the plans are preliminary and feasibility depends on support from the Trump administration and state officials.

A commitment of $1 trillion would be more than the $500 billion Stargate AI Infrastructure project, of which SoftBank is rumored to be fronting $19 billion. The financial institution partnered with OpenAI and Oracle to build the data center capacity across the U.S.

SoftBank also announced in March that it would acquire U.S. semiconductor design company Ampere for $6.5 billion in April. The firm revealed that it would underwrite up to $40 billion of new investment in OpenAI, of which up to $10 billion would be syndicated to other investors.

Stacy Rasgon of Bernstein Research argued that it’s difficult or impossible for the U.S. or any country to be fully self-sufficient in everything that they need to build semiconductors. Despite being the origin of microchips in the 1950s and remaining a top chip design hub, the U.S. now manufactures only 10% of the world’s chips and none of the most advanced ones.

TSMC pushes for more chip factories in the U.S.

TSMC is also already building chipmaking factories in the U.S. with a planned investment of $165 billion. TSMC said in March that in 2020, it chose Phoenix, Arizona, for its first advanced U.S. semiconductor manufacturing site, which has now expanded from $12 billion to $165 billion. The firm also revealed that other plans in Arizona include six semiconductor wafer fabs, two advanced packaging facilities, and a research and development center.

“TSMC Arizona will play a crucial role in increasing U.S. production of advanced semiconductor technology and elevate the state of Arizona as an American center of innovation.”

-Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company.

U.S. President Donald Trump also announced in March that TSMC will commit $100 billion to bolster chip manufacturing in the U.S. He called the investment a “tremendous move by the most powerful company in the world.” 

Trump has made numerous calls to bring semiconductor production back to the U.S. after much of the manufacturing industry moved abroad. He said in March advancing semiconductor production in the U.S. is a matter of economic and national security.

The U.S. President has repeatedly called out and accused Taiwan of stealing the U.S. chip manufacturing business and imposed tariffs on semiconductor imports. TSMC’s finance chief Wendell Huang mentioned in January that he was confident the new White House administration would continue funding the firm’s U.S. ambitions.

The semiconductor company said on an earnings call in April it will produce 30% of its most advanced chips in Arizona when its six Phoenix plants are operational. Chairman and CEO CC Wei told investors the scope of the firm’s Phoenix investment will create an independent leading-edge semiconductor manufacturing cluster in the U.S.

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