SoftBank’s Son Eyes Data Center Group Switch to Expand in AI (3)

SoftBank Group Corp. is studying potential acquisitions including data center operator Switch Inc., people with knowledge of the matter said, underscoring billionaire founder Masayoshi Son’s growing ambitions to ride an AI-fueled boom in digital infrastructure.

The Japanese company has held discussions with Switch leadership about a possible deal, the people said. Its owners have sought a valuation of around $50 billion including debt for the data center operator, said some of the people. Switch is simultaneously preparing for an initial public offering as soon as early next year, and the company’s backers have considered a valuation of about ...