SoftBank Seeks $16 Billion Loan for AI Investments
Sign up for ARPU: Stay ahead of the curve on tech business trends.
SoftBank Group CEO Masayoshi Son is planning to borrow $16 billion to invest in artificial intelligence, Reuters reports, citing The Information.
The Japanese technology conglomerate is also considering an additional $8 billion loan in early 2026. These discussions come as SoftBank expands its AI investments, including a planned investment of up to $25 billion in OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT.
SoftBank is already committed to investing $15 billion in Stargate, a joint venture with Oracle and OpenAI aimed at boosting US competitiveness in AI. The Information previously reported that SoftBank planned to invest a total of $40 billion in Stargate and OpenAI, seeking up to $18.5 billion in financing.
Stargate, announced by US President Donald Trump, SoftBank's Son, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, and Oracle Chairman Larry Ellison at the White House in January, aims to invest up to $500 billion to help the US stay ahead of China and other global AI competitors.
SoftBank's planned AI investments highlight the growing importance of the sector and the company's commitment to supporting AI innovation. The company's discussions with banks for financing underscore the significant capital requirements for developing and deploying cutting-edge AI technologies.