SoftBank’s billionaire CEO, Masayoshi Son, is on a mission to create artificial superintelligence (ASI) that surpasses human intelligence by a whopping 10,000 times. In a recent statement to shareholders, Son expressed his unwavering dedication to this ambitious goal, stating that he believes he was born to bring ASI to life.
This extreme focus on ASI comes after a rollercoaster ride of investments and strategic shifts for SoftBank. While the company experienced record losses in recent years, including setbacks with companies like WeWork, SenseTime, and GoTo, Son remains undeterred in his pursuit of groundbreaking technologies.
Son views his past investments, such as Uber and Alibaba, as mere stepping stones to his ultimate objective of realizing ASI. Describing every previous venture as a warm-up, Son emphasized that ASI is now his sole focus.
To demonstrate his commitment, SoftBank announced plans to make significant AI investments, including a recent backing of the AI internet search startup Perplexity AI. Son also highlighted interests in other AI-related sectors like autonomous driving, robotics, and data centers.
Reflecting on his investing journey, Son expressed a newfound clarity on his purpose, emphasizing that bringing ASI to fruition is his life’s calling. Despite facing challenges and uncertainties, Son’s unwavering determination underscores his belief that the future belongs to artificial superintelligence.
As SoftBank continues to navigate the ever-evolving tech landscape, Son’s vision for ASI stands as a testament to his bold and forward-thinking approach to investing in groundbreaking technologies.
