Masayoshi son rejects AI bubble fears, doubles down on superintelligence vision

SoftBank founder and Chief Executive Officer Masayoshi Son has strongly rejected claims that the rapid rise of artificial intelligence

SoftBank founder and Chief Executive Officer Masayoshi Son has strongly rejected claims that the rapid rise of artificial intelligence is creating a financial bubble, arguing instead that the technology is only beginning to reveal its transformative potential.

Speaking during SoftBank’s annual general meeting, Son delivered an enthusiastic defense of the AI industry and reiterated his long-term vision for the Japanese technology investment giant. Addressing concerns from critics who believe the current AI boom may be unsustainable, Son dismissed such warnings and described them as a misunderstanding of the technology’s future impact.

“I think it’s blasphemy against AI if you say it’s a bubble,” Son told shareholders. “It’s just the beginning. AI’s potential will be unlocked.”

The remarks reflect Son’s unwavering belief that artificial intelligence will become the defining technology of the coming decades. Throughout the meeting, he emphasized SoftBank’s commitment to expanding its investments in AI-related infrastructure, advanced computing systems, and emerging technologies that could reshape industries around the world.

At 68 years old, Son indicated that he has no plans to slow down and remains determined to lead SoftBank well into his seventies. He stated that his ultimate objective is to help bring about Artificial Superintelligence (ASI), a concept he defines as a form of intelligence that is 10,000 times more capable than the human mind. According to Son, achieving this level of technological advancement would represent a historic leap in human progress and unlock opportunities that are difficult to imagine today.

As part of its AI strategy, SoftBank is continuing to invest heavily in the development of data centers, particularly in the United States. These facilities are considered essential for powering advanced AI systems, which require enormous amounts of computing power and data-processing capacity. The company views large-scale infrastructure development as a critical component of the next phase of artificial intelligence growth.

Son also revealed his interest in expanding AI-related infrastructure within Japan. He suggested that SoftBank could potentially invest in Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) as part of a broader effort to strengthen the country’s energy supply and support the construction of new AI data centers. Reliable and abundant electricity is increasingly viewed as a key requirement for operating the massive computing networks that power modern AI applications.

“If TEPCO were to join our group, we would increase power supply and bring AI data centers to Japan,” Son said during the meeting.

In addition to data centers and energy investments, Son outlined ambitious plans involving robotics and automation. He announced that SoftBank intends to establish what he described as a physical AI manufacturing plant, where robots would be responsible for producing other robots on a large scale. While he did not provide detailed information about the project, he suggested that the initiative could represent a major step forward in automated manufacturing.

“I think we’re the first in the world to have robots manufacturing robots at scale,” Son stated.

The comments underscore SoftBank’s growing focus on the convergence of artificial intelligence, robotics, and infrastructure. Despite ongoing concerns among some investors about excessive enthusiasm surrounding AI-related technologies, Son remains convinced that the world is still in the early stages of an AI revolution. His latest remarks signal that SoftBank intends to remain at the forefront of that transformation through continued investment in advanced computing, energy resources, data centers, and next-generation robotics.