In the ever-evolving world of technology investment, few figures are as audacious or visionary as Masayoshi Son, the founder and CEO of SoftBank. Known for his aggressive investment strategies and ability to anticipate tech trends, Son recently reaffirmed his deep commitment to artificial intelligence — not just as a business strategy, but as a defining mission for the future of humanity.
At a recent investor presentation, Son delivered a passionate and striking message: SoftBank is going “all-in” on AI. After a period of financial turbulence and cautious repositioning, the Japanese conglomerate is once again embracing bold risk-taking — and this time, it’s all centered on the potential of artificial intelligence.
The Comeback Message: From Humility to Hyper-Ambition
Masayoshi Son has never been a quiet or reserved executive. His presentations often resemble visionary tech speeches rather than traditional business briefings. During this investor update, Son admitted to a period of reflection and humility following significant financial losses in the past few years. Yet rather than shrinking away from future bets, he declared the company’s readiness to re-enter the innovation race — this time with a focused lens on AI.
He didn’t mince words: AI, according to Son, is not just the next big thing — it is “the biggest revolution in human history.” He compared its significance to that of the invention of the steam engine, electricity, and even the internet, calling AI the “pinnacle of human invention.”
A Track Record of Visionary Bets
Son’s renewed AI focus comes as little surprise to those familiar with his past strategies. He was an early investor in companies like Alibaba and has spearheaded multi-billion-dollar bets through SoftBank’s Vision Fund, which famously backed some of the most influential tech startups over the last decade.
Not all of these bets paid off. High-profile stumbles like WeWork tarnished the Vision Fund’s reputation, prompting SoftBank to shift into a more defensive posture in recent years. But Son’s return to AI indicates a revival of his appetite for high-stakes, high-reward ventures — this time with lessons learned.
Why AI, Why Now?
Son emphasized that the timing is perfect for this next leap. Recent advances in generative AI — such as language models like ChatGPT — have made it clear that the technology is entering a new phase of maturity. According to Son, we are witnessing the emergence of artificial general intelligence (AGI), a form of machine intelligence that can perform tasks at or above human level across a wide range of domains.
This belief underpins SoftBank’s strategy to not just invest in AI companies, but to help shape the infrastructure that supports them. Son envisions a future where AI doesn’t just assist human efforts but transforms how economies, societies, and individuals function on a fundamental level.
Building the Future Infrastructure of Intelligence
SoftBank’s strategy is focused on the foundational layers of the AI ecosystem. This includes investments in semiconductor companies, cloud infrastructure, robotics, and software platforms that fuel AI development. Son believes that owning key parts of the AI value chain will not only be profitable — it will make SoftBank indispensable in the coming decades.
In particular, SoftBank is expected to invest more aggressively in chip technologies, as computing power is the lifeblood of AI. Whether through its association with ARM or through new partnerships, the company appears set to help define the next generation of AI hardware.
Investors React: Cautious Optimism and Curiosity
Reactions to Son’s presentation were mixed but engaged. While some investors expressed concern about SoftBank’s past volatility and the unpredictability of future AI breakthroughs, others acknowledged the potential upside. AI is clearly more than just a buzzword now; it’s a transformative force in every major sector, from healthcare and finance to education and defense.
Son’s unapologetic vision for SoftBank’s AI-first future serves both as a strategic north star and a rallying cry for the company’s stakeholders: believe in the power of technology — and be prepared to act boldly.
A New Chapter for SoftBank
After years of scrutiny and retrenchment, SoftBank under Masayoshi Son appears poised for a resurgence. If his predictions about AI’s world-altering impact hold true, the next chapter of SoftBank could be its most influential yet.
Son isn’t just investing in AI. He’s wagering that it will rewrite the future — and he wants SoftBank to be at the center of that story.
