SoftBank has entered a major partnership with OpenAI, committing to spend $3 billion annually to integrate OpenAI’s technology into its businesses. The deal includes a joint venture, SB OpenAI Japan, which will provide AI solutions to large enterprises in Japan.
This collaboration strengthens OpenAI’s presence in Asia and highlights SoftBank’s deep investment in artificial intelligence. The partnership was unveiled at a high-profile event attended by executives representing companies that account for more than half of Japan’s total market capitalization.
SoftBank’s Investment in OpenAI
SoftBank will gain access to OpenAI’s most advanced tools, including:
- ChatGPT Enterprise for business applications
- OpenAI’s API for custom AI integrations
- Operator, an AI assistant capable of performing online tasks
- Deep Research, a new AI-powered web analysis tool
SoftBank is branding these AI solutions under the name Cristal Intelligence, which will be used across its subsidiaries, including British chip designer Arm.
SoftBank’s AGI Vision
During the event, SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son made a bold prediction: artificial general intelligence (AGI) could become a reality in under 10 years. AGI refers to AI that can perform tasks at a human level or beyond across multiple fields.
Son believes AGI will first emerge in large enterprises, where significant financial resources can drive rapid development. He emphasized that achieving AGI requires massive investment, which only major corporations can afford at this stage.
OpenAI’s Growing Valuation and SoftBank’s Role
This announcement comes amid reports that OpenAI is in talks to raise up to $40 billion, with SoftBank expected to contribute between $15 billion and $25 billion. If this funding round is completed, SoftBank would become OpenAI’s largest backer, surpassing Microsoft.
Some of this funding may also support Stargate, a massive AI infrastructure project involving OpenAI, SoftBank, and Oracle. The initiative, introduced by former U.S. President Donald Trump, aims to invest billions in AI development in the U.S.
Rising AI Competition
While OpenAI continues to expand its reach, it faces growing competition from new players like DeepSeek, a Chinese AI startup. DeepSeek’s model has gained significant attention, with its app topping Apple’s App Store rankings. Reports suggest its AI was trained at a fraction of the cost of OpenAI’s models, raising concerns about competition in the AI space.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman acknowledged DeepSeek’s success, calling it a “great model” and emphasizing the importance of democratic AI in the global race for AI dominance.
What This Means for AI Development
SoftBank’s investment marks a significant milestone for OpenAI, giving the company a stronger foothold in Asia and expanding its enterprise solutions. The partnership also signals increasing competition in the AI sector, as companies worldwide race to develop more advanced and cost-effective models.
With AGI on the horizon and AI adoption accelerating, the coming years could reshape industries and redefine the way businesses operate.
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