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Masayoshi Son's Vision for Artificial Super-Intelligence
SoftBank Group Corp.’s charismatic founder, Masayoshi Son, is making waves once again with his ambitious vision to usher in an era of artificial super-intelligence (ASI). Son has laid out plans to help develop AI that is exponentially smarter than any human, marking his boldest statements since the Japanese conglomerate began stabilizing its finances after a series of poorly timed investments in startups.
Speaking with a renewed sense of energy and introspection, Son envisaged a future where Arm Holdings Plc chips foster an ecosystem of advanced robots and powerful data centers. According to Son, this infrastructure could potentially cure cancer, perform household chores, and even play with children. Emotionally charged, Son expressed his desire to leave a lasting impact on the world.
The 66-year-old entrepreneur reflected on his time with the late Steve Jobs, noting that their conversations often left him in tears as he felt his legacy would never match the Apple Inc. co-founder’s. However, after a difficult year marked by personal and professional challenges, including the passing of his father, Son experienced a revelation. “I had my answer,” he shared at an annual meeting with shareholders. “This is what I was born to do — to realize ASI. Watch me, I will make it happen.”
SoftBank's $100 Billion AI Investment Plan
Bloomberg reported back in February that SoftBank is preparing to invest around $100 billion into AI-related chip development through a project known as Izanagi. Son’s lofty goals appear to be aligned with SoftBank’s rising share price, driven by Arm’s advancements in AI and a robust cash reserve. The company is hinting at a return to aggressive investment strategies after several quarters of muted activity.
As of the end of March, SoftBank’s loan-to-value ratio had dropped to 8.4%, a historic low and significantly below the target of 25%. This ratio is one of Son’s key indicators for assessing the company's balance between risk and opportunity. Chief Financial Officer Yoshimitsu Goto emphasized the urgent need for SoftBank to embrace more risk, especially as AI development continues to accelerate. “Failing to take risks constitutes the biggest risk for us,” Goto affirmed, suggesting that the company is eyeing a variety of new challenges.
With Son’s grand vision and the company's renewed focus on AI, SoftBank appears poised to reestablish its influence in the tech world, potentially heralding a new era of technological advancements.
