On June 24, Bloomberg reported that SoftBank Group founder Masayoshi Son said he planned to continue to run the technology group he founded for the next decade or even longer, thus overturning his long-standing plan to take over in his sixties.
Masayoshi Son
The 68-year-old technology investor said he is now eager to accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence and build SoftBank into the world's leading artificial intelligence-driven robotics company.
"I don't have time to retire."Son said he mentioned that SoftBank is pursuing what he considers to be fundamental long-term technologies. Son added that he has revised his original "50-year plan" (to hand over the job in his 60s) and will work for another 10 to 15 years.
Currently, SoftBank holds nearly 90% of the shares of chip design company ARM, and has been accelerating investment in AI-related companies in recent years. The company has committed about $65 billion to OpenAI and has agreed to acquire ABB's robotics unit at a valuation of about $5.4 billion.
According to Bloomberg, SoftBank is in early negotiations to participate in an $800 million financing round for Agile Robots. SoftBank has previously led funding rounds for the German robotics startup.
In addition, people familiar with the matter said that SoftBank also plans to establish an artificial intelligence and robotics company called Roze in the United States and promote its listing to expand its presence in this fast-growing field. SoftBank aims to complete the establishment and listing of the company within this year, but the timetable may be delayed to 2027.