SoftBank’s founder bets his company’s future on OpenAI after $32B commitment

Despite geopolitical tensions, conflicts, and border scuffles, SoftBank is counting on the friendly relationship between the Japanese and U.S. as it sets its sights on becoming the number one name in the fiercely contested field of artificial superintelligence (ASI). 

Masayoshi Son is aiming to transform SoftBank into the world leader in artificial superintelligence—a form of AI that is, at least on paper, smarter than humans—within the next decade, and he is betting everything on the ambition.

SoftBank’s founder is going all in on ASI

Masayoshi Son announced his ambitions at an annual shareholder meeting held in Tokyo on Friday. He also proclaimed that only a handful of companies will reap the benefits from the around 600 trillion yen, equivalent to $4.155 trillion, of profit that stands to be made from ASI in the next ten years.

One way he plans to ensure his company, with its Japanese roots, is one of them, is by strengthening its relationship with OpenAI. Masayoshi said that by year’s end, SoftBank will have invested up to $32 billion in OpenAI, making it one of the largest single investments ever made in a private company.

And the investment is bearing fruit. Back in February, both companies announced a plan for a joint venture to provide major Japanese companies with advanced enterprise AI called “Cristal intelligence.”

SoftBank’s investments in OpenAI align with Masayoshi’s faith in the Altman-led firm’s value. The famous CEO believes OpenAI will eventually go public and ultimately become the most valuable company on Earth.

Masayoshi sees that listing happening in a few years.

Masayoshi Son thinks it is important to stay in America’s good books

SoftBank has increasingly gotten bolder about its push into the AI sector, and it recognizes America as a nutrient-rich substrate on which it can fast-track its plans.

Last July, it acquired the UK-based AI chip maker Graphcore. This year, it announced the acquisition of U.S. semiconductor design company Ampere Computing in a $6.5 billion deal.

Also, earlier this year, SoftBank teamed up with OpenAI to announce a joint project called Stargate to build infrastructure for the ChatGPT maker. Database company Oracle and MGX, an investor backed by the United Arab Emirates, have also been named equity partners in the venture.

The companies will invest up to $500 billion in Stargate over the next four years. Many eyes are on SoftBank’s investment plans as Japan tries to close a deal with the Trump administration, which is hell bent on addressing trade deficits and attracting more foreign investment into the United States.

On the subject of his relationship with President Trump, Son emphasized the importance of working closely with the U.S. administration, calling America the “world’s largest AI hub and the technical epicenter of this revolution.”

Son is convinced “America is where the greatest opportunities lie,” and he is all for staying in its good books if it means his company benefits in the long run. He has to be because he expects his $32 billion to be a bargain in the long run.