Masayoshi Son, the founder and CEO of SoftBank, has consistently championed artificial intelligence (AI) for years. His company has invested billions in leading tech companies and AI initiatives, solidifying its position as a major player in the AI revolution. This article explores Son’s journey, his strategic investments, and his unwavering belief in the transformative power of AI.
Masayoshi Son speaking behind podium
Son’s early life and entrepreneurial spirit laid the foundation for his future success. Born in 1957 to Korean immigrants in Japan, he demonstrated a keen business acumen from a young age. Inspired by McDonald’s Japan founder Den Fujita, Son moved to the United States at 16 to pursue his education. He studied computer science and economics at the University of California, Berkeley, and before turning 21, he sold his first company, a multilingual translator, for approximately $1 million.
In the 1980s, Son founded SoftBank, a company that would become a global tech investment powerhouse. Through SoftBank and its $100 billion Vision Fund, Son has made significant investments in companies like Uber, Slack, Amazon, Tesla, and Netflix. While SoftBank faced setbacks with WeWork’s failed IPO, resulting in a loss of over $4.7 billion, Son remained committed to his investment strategy.
Son’s unconventional investment approach has often surprised Silicon Valley. The sheer size of the Vision Fund and its bold investment strategies have disrupted traditional investment norms. His vision and financial resources have positioned him as a driving force in transforming various industries through AI and machine learning. A key aspect of Son’s success has been his ability to forge strategic partnerships. His discussions with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman led to a substantial investment in the Vision Fund and a collaborative solar energy project in Saudi Arabia.
Masayoshi Son with media mogul Rupert Murdoch in 1999.
SoftBank’s investment in OpenAI exemplifies Son’s commitment to AI. In October 2024, SoftBank participated in a $6.6 billion funding round, investing $500 million in the ChatGPT maker. This investment built upon prior support from SoftBank’s second Vision Fund, showcasing Son’s early recognition of OpenAI’s potential. Further demonstrating his commitment to AI infrastructure, SoftBank became Nvidia’s first customer for its Blackwell chips in November 2024. These chips will power Japan’s largest AI supercomputer, further advancing AI capabilities. Beyond individual companies, Son has spearheaded large-scale AI initiatives. In collaboration with OpenAI and Oracle, he announced a $500 billion joint investment in US AI projects. This ambitious project, known as Stargate, aims to bolster US AI infrastructure and create jobs.
Nvidia and SoftBank have partnered to develop a supercomputer in Japan.
Despite facing challenges, including the WeWork downturn and the global pandemic, Son has maintained an optimistic outlook. He views crises as opportunities for innovation and growth, emphasizing the importance of perseverance. Even amidst significant losses, he continues to invest strategically in companies poised to lead the AI revolution. His $100 billion commitment to US AI projects over the next four years underscores his unwavering belief in the transformative power of AI.
In conclusion, Masayoshi Son’s visionary leadership and strategic investments have positioned SoftBank at the forefront of the AI revolution. His unwavering belief in the transformative potential of AI, coupled with his bold investment strategies, continues to shape the technological landscape. From early investments in promising startups to large-scale infrastructure projects, Son’s actions reflect a deep commitment to advancing AI capabilities and driving innovation across various industries. His journey serves as a testament to the power of vision, perseverance, and strategic partnerships in shaping the future of technology.
