Michael Dell Pledges $6.25 Billion to Boost Children’s Investment Accounts Under Trump Initiative 
Trump Administration to Secure Equity Stake in Pat Gelsinger’s XLight Startup 
Amazon and Google Launch New Multicloud Networking Service to Boost High-Speed Cloud Connectivity 
Sam Altman Reportedly Explored Funding for Rocket Venture in Potential Challenge to SpaceX 
OpenAI Moves to Acquire Neptune as It Expands AI Training Capabilities 
ByteDance Unveils New AI Voice Assistant for ZTE Smartphones 
Visa to Move European Headquarters to London’s Canary Wharf 
TSMC Accuses Former Executive of Leaking Trade Secrets as Taiwan Prosecutors Launch Investigation 
Amazon Italy Pays €180M in Compensation as Delivery Staff Probe Ends 
Norway’s Wealth Fund Backs Shareholder Push for Microsoft Human-Rights Risk Report 
Firelight Launches as First XRP Staking Platform on Flare, Introduces DeFi Cover Feature 
Quantum Systems Projects Revenue Surge as It Eyes IPO or Private Sale 
Banks Consider $38 Billion Funding Boost for Oracle, Vantage, and OpenAI Expansion 
Australia Releases New National AI Plan, Opts for Existing Laws to Manage Risks 
EU Prepares Antitrust Probe Into Meta’s AI Integration on WhatsApp 
Apple Alerts EU Regulators That Apple Ads and Maps Meet DMA Gatekeeper Thresholds 
Intel Boosts Malaysia Operations with Additional RM860 Million Investment 
SoftBank Group (TYO:9984) is positioning itself as a global leader in the artificial superintelligence (ASI) era, with CEO Masayoshi Son stating the company’s ambition to become the central platform provider for ASI within the next decade. Speaking at the annual shareholder meeting on Friday, Son emphasized SoftBank’s strategic vision to "organize the industry" as AI surpasses current capabilities.
In a significant move, SoftBank disclosed a new investment agreement with OpenAI, bringing its total commitment to $32 billion, including previously planned funding. This investment builds on a prior pledge of up to $40 billion, valuing OpenAI at $300 billion, and establishes SoftBank as one of its most prominent backers.
Son also expressed his belief that OpenAI will eventually go public, signaling confidence in the firm’s long-term growth potential. In addition to its OpenAI investment, SoftBank is taking a leading role in the ambitious $500 billion "Stargate" initiative. The project aims to construct cutting-edge AI and robotics infrastructure in the U.S. and includes major partners such as Oracle (NYSE:ORCL), Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT), NVIDIA (NASDAQ:NVDA), and MGX.
SoftBank and OpenAI are the primary drivers behind Stargate, with SoftBank assuming key financial responsibilities. The bold investments are part of Son’s broader strategy to dominate the future of AI technology.
Shares of Tokyo-listed SoftBank (OTC:SFTBY) were trading nearly 3% higher by 03:23 GMT, reflecting investor optimism amid strong buying in Japanese markets.
These developments underscore SoftBank’s aggressive AI expansion and its pivotal role in shaping the future of artificial superintelligence platforms worldwide.
