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SoftBank Group has reportedly approved a second installment of $22.5 billion to finalize its massive $30 billion investment in OpenAI, according to a report by The Information. The Japanese conglomerate’s board has given conditional approval, requiring OpenAI to complete a corporate restructuring that could pave the way for a future public offering.
The investment is part of a larger $41 billion funding round first announced in April. If completed, this would mark one of the largest single investments in the history of artificial intelligence startups, underscoring SoftBank’s aggressive push into the rapidly expanding AI sector.
SoftBank initially committed $10 billion to OpenAI in mid-April, followed by a planned $30 billion infusion in December. However, the latter funding was contingent on OpenAI transitioning to a for-profit structure by year-end. If the restructuring does not occur, the total investment could be reduced to $20 billion.
Both SoftBank and OpenAI have yet to comment publicly on the latest report, and Reuters could not independently verify the information. Nevertheless, the move signals continued investor confidence in OpenAI’s growth potential amid the global AI boom, driven by technologies like ChatGPT and enterprise-level AI integrations.
With this additional capital, OpenAI could accelerate development in AI infrastructure, cloud computing, and global partnerships, solidifying its leadership position in the competitive AI landscape. For SoftBank, the deal reinforces its long-term strategy to dominate the artificial intelligence market and diversify beyond its traditional tech investments.
As OpenAI moves closer to potential public listing plans, this massive financial backing could reshape the future of AI innovation and global technology investment trends.
