SoftBank's Son calls AI bubble talk an 'insult,' delays retiring (www.taipeitimes.com)

Masayoshi Son, the chairman and CEO of SoftBank Group Corp, has dismissed concerns about an AI bubble as an "insult," emphasizing that the AI revolution is just beginning. He plans to extend his leadership at SoftBank for another 10 to 15 years to fully leverage the burgeoning AI landscape. Son highlighted his commitment to advancing AI and enhancing the company's presence in the sector, including a planned U.S. listing for a new AI and robotics venture named Roze. He believes that AI, particularly through advancements like artificial super intelligence (ASI), should be viewed as a partner in human evolution rather than a replacement. Son also revealed SoftBank's ambitious investment strategy, including a commitment of about $65 billion to OpenAI and a $5.4 billion acquisition of ABB Ltd's robotics unit. He noted that the demand for Arm processors, which SoftBank owns mostly, is expected to surge as AI applications proliferate globally. Son's forward-looking vision of integrating AI with robotics positions SoftBank at the forefront of technological innovation, with a projected market value target of 200 trillion yen ($1.2 trillion) by 2040, reflecting his unwavering belief in the industry's vast potential.