SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son has declared a full-scale commitment to OpenAI, announcing at the company’s annual general meeting in Tokyo that planned investments in the artificial intelligence leader will total around 4.8 trillion yen ($33.2 billion). Despite OpenAI being a private and currently unprofitable entity, Son expressed unwavering confidence in its future. “I believe OpenAI will eventually go public and become the most valuable company in the world,” he told shareholders, underscoring his long-term ambition to position SoftBank at the core of the next wave of AI innovation.
This major backing aligns with SoftBank’s broader strategy to lead in artificial superintelligence (ASI)—technology Son defines as being 10,000 times smarter than humans. As part of that vision, the firm is also engaged in high-stakes projects such as the $500 billion Stargate initiative. Son reiterated that while investing in an unlisted AI company requires courage, his belief in OpenAI’s potential continues to intensify, regardless of Microsoft’s evolving relationship with the firm.
SoftBank Lost Early Bid to Microsoft, but Strengthens Position
Masayoshi Son also revealed that he had once been offered an early opportunity to invest in OpenAI, years before Microsoft secured its role as the company’s primary backer. According to Son, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman approached him in 2019 with a $10 billion investment proposal. At the time, Son expressed genuine interest, backed by Vision Fund gains. However, the deal ultimately went to Microsoft, whose global presence and technological strengths appealed more to Altman at the time.
Microsoft later secured exclusive rights as OpenAI’s cloud computing provider, but that exclusivity ended earlier this year. Reports now indicate Microsoft is hesitant about OpenAI’s restructuring into a for-profit mode, raising uncertainty about their continued alignment. Reflecting on these developments, Masayoshi Son noted that Altman “should have picked SoftBank,” although he acknowledged that Microsoft’s scale and reputation made it the more appealing partner at the time.
Despite missing out initially, SoftBank remains aggressive in its pursuit. The company has stated that it may scale back its $30 billion stake in OpenAI’s funding round to $20 billion if no restructuring occurs by the end of the year. Nonetheless, Son assured investors that SoftBank’s commitment to OpenAI remains firm and forward-looking.
SoftBank Positions Itself at the Heart of Artificial Superintelligence
Masayoshi Son’s renewed confidence in OpenAI is deeply tied to his ambition to make SoftBank a leading force in the ASI era. He envisions SoftBank becoming the world’s largest platform provider for artificial superintelligence within the next ten years. To realize this, he plans to leverage the company’s strategic partnerships with OpenAI and Arm, the U.K.-based chipmaker SoftBank acquired in 2016.
In line with this goal, SoftBank has ramped up AI-related investments, including the $6.5 billion acquisition of U.S.-based chip designer Ampere earlier in 2025. Bloomberg also recently reported that Son is considering the creation of a $1 trillion AI-focused industrial complex in the U.S., a bold move that would mark one of the largest infrastructure commitments in the tech sector to date.
As the global race for AI leadership intensifies, Masayoshi Son’s latest declarations make clear that SoftBank intends not only to participate but to lead the charge into the next era of intelligent technology.
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