SoftBank's Vision: Masayoshi Son Aims for Super AI to Outpace Human Intelligence by 10,000 Times

TOKYO (Reuters) – SoftBank Group (TYO: 9984) CEO Masayoshi Son announced on Friday that the company’s overarching objective is to catalyze human advancement through the realization of artificial super intelligence (ASI), which he claims will outperform human intellect by a staggering 10,000-fold.

"Everything SoftBank (TYO: 9984) has achieved thus far has been mere preparation for my ultimate ambition of creating artificial superintelligence," Son proclaimed to shareholders at the firm's annual general meeting.

Son, well-known for his foresight in the tech world, has amassed his wealth by investing in the explosion of the internet and smartphones. During the meeting, he detailed the company’s renewed focus on integrating robotics with artificial intelligence. These advancements are intended for diverse applications such as large-scale production, logistics, and self-driving technologies.

Realizing Son's futuristic vision for AI-driven robotics will demand "immense capital" and necessitate collaboration with partners, as he admitted SoftBank cannot fund the endeavor alone.

Though Son's reputation has taken some hits following the underperformance of several technology startups within the Vision Fund portfolio, the market success of SoftBank's subsidiary Arm since its public listing in September has somewhat restored his standing. Arm's robust share performance has spurred investor interest in AI-linked companies, further expanding the disparity between SoftBank's asset value and market cap.

Interestingly, in June, a source shared that Elliott Management, an activist investor, had acquired a $2 billion stake in SoftBank, urging a $15 billion share repurchase to elevate the stock price. Son stated that while SoftBank is always prepared for share buybacks, there were no plans to execute one. He also entertained the idea of taking SoftBank private, noting it as a consideration should the market undervalue the company further.

For traders keeping an eye on SoftBank Group (TYO: 9984), Son’s audacious plans and the evolving dynamics around AI and robotics present both opportunities and risks. The ongoing developments merit close monitoring to gauge their potential financial impact.