SoftBank and OpenAI Join Forces to Revolutionize AI Services for Corporations
In a groundbreaking announcement, SoftBank Group CEO Masayoshi Son revealed that his tech investment company is partnering with artificial intelligence powerhouse OpenAI to establish a joint venture aimed at promoting AI services for corporations. This collaboration marks a significant step in the evolution of AI technology, with the new venture, SB OpenAI Japan, set to leverage vast amounts of data stored within client companies’ systems to offer optimal management solutions.
Speaking at an event in Tokyo, Son expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, “We will launch from Japan the world’s first advanced AI services for large corporations.” He further elaborated on the ambitious plans to expand AI applications beyond the corporate sector, targeting government, medical, and educational fields in the future.
SoftBank Group CEO Masayoshi Son speaks at an event in Tokyo on Feb. 3, 2025. (Kyodo)
Later that day, Son met with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to discuss the latest developments, as the competition with China in AI development continues to intensify. Chinese startup DeepSeek’s chatbot has recently garnered significant global attention, highlighting the urgency for Japan to strengthen its AI capabilities.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Ishiba emphasized the importance of international collaboration, stating, “We will take measures to strengthen collaboration between Japan and the United States on artificial intelligence.” This sentiment was echoed by Sam Altman, the head of OpenAI, who also attended the meeting. Altman told reporters, “I think this will be a step that really lets us bring very advanced AI to the Japanese market.”
The announcement of SB OpenAI Japan follows a previous declaration by SoftBank and OpenAI, in partnership with Oracle Corp., to invest at least $500 billion in AI infrastructure in the United States under the Stargate Project. This U.S. initiative, unveiled in front of President Donald Trump at a White House press conference, aims to construct massive state-of-the-art data centers to accelerate AI development.
SoftBank Group CEO Masayoshi Son (L) and Sam Altman, the head of OpenAI, speak at an event in Tokyo on Feb. 3, 2025. (Kyodo)
Son described SB OpenAI Japan as the Japanese counterpart to the Stargate Project, with SoftBank set to become the venture’s first customer. The company plans to invest approximately $3 billion annually to utilize the services across its group, which includes mobile payment service operator PayPay Corp.
In his speech, Son also highlighted plans to establish data centers in Japan to support the country’s AI project. He assured that client information would be managed domestically, with strict measures in place to ensure that each customer’s details remain confidential.
To facilitate the launch of the new service, SoftBank will dispatch around 1,000 employees to the new company, while OpenAI will contribute some of its engineers. This collaboration underscores SoftBank’s commitment to advancing AI technology, as the company has been actively investing in AI startups and building AI infrastructure in Japan. Recent initiatives include plans to construct a data center for AI development in Osaka and another in Hokkaido.
Key Points of the Joint Venture
- SB OpenAI Japan is a 50-50 joint venture between SoftBank and OpenAI.
- The venture aims to provide advanced AI services for large corporations, with plans to expand into government, medical, and educational sectors.
- SoftBank will be the first customer, investing $3 billion annually in the services.
- Data centers will be established in Japan to ensure domestic management of client information.
- SoftBank will contribute 1,000 employees, while OpenAI will provide engineers to support the venture.
As the global race for AI supremacy continues, the collaboration between SoftBank and OpenAI represents a strategic move to position Japan as a leader in AI technology. By harnessing the power of AI, SB OpenAI Japan aims to revolutionize the way corporations manage and utilize data, paving the way for a future where AI plays a central role in various sectors.
For more information on related developments, you can explore the following articles:
- SoftBank, OpenAI, Oracle to invest $500 billion on AI in U.S.: Trump
- Trump taps ex-investment banker Glass as U.S. ambassador to Japan
- SoftBank CEO Son with Trump vows $100 billion investment in U.S.
As the world watches the unfolding developments in AI technology, the partnership between SoftBank and OpenAI is poised to make a significant impact, not only in Japan but globally. The future of AI is bright, and with initiatives like SB OpenAI Japan, the possibilities are endless.
Originally Written by: KYODO NEWS