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SoftBank secures $40 billion loan to deepen OpenAI bet and expand AI strategy

SoftBank Group has secured a $40 billion bridge loan to strengthen its investments in artificial intelligence, with a significant portion expected to support its growing partnership with OpenAI. The move underscores SoftBank’s renewed focus on AI as competition intensifies globally.

The Tokyo-based conglomerate, led by founder Masayoshi Son, said the unsecured loan will also be used for general corporate purposes. The financing is set to mature in March 2027 and has been arranged with a consortium of major lenders, including JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, Mizuho Bank, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp, and MUFG Bank.

Expanding AI Ambitions

SoftBank has already committed substantial capital to OpenAI, including a previously announced $30 billion investment through its Vision Fund 2. The latest funding further signals the company’s intent to play a leading role in the rapidly evolving generative AI landscape.

OpenAI, backed by Microsoft, has emerged as a dominant force in the sector, driven by the widespread adoption of ChatGPT and other AI tools. This surge in demand has sparked a global race among technology firms and investors to secure a competitive edge.

Strategic Bet on Future Technologies

The new loan highlights Masayoshi Son’s increasingly aggressive stance on artificial intelligence after a period marked by volatility in SoftBank’s investment portfolio. The company is now doubling down on AI as a long-term growth driver.

SoftBank and OpenAI were also key participants in the Stargate Project, an initiative announced last year aimed at investing up to $500 billion over four years to build AI infrastructure in the United States. In addition, Son had earlier outlined plans to invest $100 billion in AI-related infrastructure in the U.S., reflecting the scale of the company’s ambitions.

The latest financing move positions SoftBank to further deepen its involvement in AI development, as global competition in the sector continues to accelerate.