The latest investment is likely to target AI infrastructure such as data centers and energy projects, aligning with SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son’s vision to use the tech to shape humanity’s future|Masaru Kamikura|CC BY 2.0
SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son joined President-elect Trump at Mar-a-Lago yesterday and unveiled a $100 billion investment plan in the US over the next four years, doubling what he invested during Trump’s 2016 presidency.
He said the funds will go to American companies and create 100,000 jobs in the country in AI tech.
The Japanese investment company bets on startups.
During Trump’s first term, it promised $50 billion; most went to co-working company WeWork, which filed for bankruptcy in 2023, and failed robot pizza maker Zume.
SoftBank’s portfolio also includes stakes in Yahoo, Alibaba, Uber, DoorDash, and chipmakers like Nvidia and Arm. It invested $500 million in OpenAI in October with plans to add $1.5 billion.
The latest investment will likely target AI infrastructure, such as data centers and energy projects, aligning with Son’s vision to use the tech to shape humanity’s future.
The timing
Son’s announcement comes as Trump promised expedited federal permits for projects investing over $1 billion in America. Other tech giants support the incoming administration, signaling optimism in a booming tech landscape.
However, skeptics point out that not all big business pledges pan out. Taiwan’s Foxconn Technology Group pledged $10 billion in tech infrastructure and promised 13,000 jobs in Milwaukee. But it has been scaled back after the pandemic.