SoftBank’s Masayoshi Son Bets Big on AI, Aiming to Shape the Future of Technology
Masayoshi Son is placing what may be the most ambitious wager of his career — transforming SoftBank into a global leader at the heart of the artificial intelligence revolution. Son predicts that artificial superintelligence (ASI) — technology 10,000 times more intelligent than humans — could arrive within the next decade. Known for high-stakes moves, such as his $20 million bet on Alibaba in 2000 that turned into billions, he now hopes to replicate that success through sweeping investments and acquisitions in AI.
Over the past few years, SoftBank has rapidly expanded its AI-focused portfolio. Its acquisition of chip designer Arm for $32 billion in 2016 has already paid off, with the company now valued above $145 billion and positioning itself as a cornerstone in AI infrastructure. The Japanese tech giant has also announced a $6.5 billion deal for Ampere Computing and committed more than $32 billion toward OpenAI.
Son’s AI strategy stretches across the full spectrum of the industry — from semiconductors and infrastructure to robotics, cloud services, and sector-specific applications in healthcare, education, and autonomous systems. His vision, shaped over decades, began with concepts like “brain computers” and emotion-reading humanoid robots such as Pepper, launched in 2014. While Pepper was eventually discontinued, it signaled Son’s early obsession with AI’s potential.
Despite past missteps, including high-profile losses in ride-hailing and workspace startups, Son’s focus remains unwavering. SoftBank’s Vision Fund, with over $100 billion in capital, now holds a dense roster of AI-driven companies. While market timing has not always been in his favor, Son views AI as still being in the early stages, with room for massive growth.
In a sector where innovation can appear overnight — as seen with China’s DeepSeek challenging U.S. dominance in reasoning AI models — the risks are as high as the rewards. Yet Son’s conviction is clear: he wants to embed AI into SoftBank’s DNA for centuries to come, ensuring the company remains a driving force in the technologies shaping the world’s future.
