Heaptalk, Jakarta — Founder of SoftBank Group, Masayoshi Son, is reportedly looking for investor support with US$100 billion to inject companies who develop new chip projects with a code-named Izanagi, intending to compete with Nvidia’s AI processors.
Project Izanagi is part of Son’s broader focus on Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), which he believes will be realized within the next decade. He has consistently advocated for adopting AI, leading to a safer, healthier, and happier world.
“AGI is what every AI expert is after. But most don’t have an answer when you ask them about a detailed definition, a number, the timing, computing power, and how much more intelligent AGI is than human intelligence. I have my answer: I am convinced AGI will be real in 10 years,” Son said, cited in Bloomberg.
Bloomberg reported that SoftBank aims to channel about US$30 billion of its capital into the venture, with additional funds at US$70 billion sought from investment firms in the Middle East. Through this initiative, SoftBank aims to strengthen its AI position and break the market that Nvidia dominates.
The company expects this proposed AI venture to synergize with the operations of UK chip designer Arm. Nevertheless, SoftBank still needs to determine whether the AI processor designed by the Izanagi project will rely on technology such as the instruction set architect (ISA) developed by Arm.
However, this project indicates Son’s increasingly aggressive enthusiasm for artificial intelligence. SoftBank is known for its high-conviction technology investments in startups on an unprecedented scale. However, after a post-pandemic plunge in valuations, the company adopted a defensive strategy when higher interest rates eroded investors’ appetite for risky assets.
As additional information, SoftBank possesses capital worth US$41 billion (around Rp. 639.6 trillion) in cash and cash equivalents as of December 31st, the effect of the rebound in global equity markets. Its balance sheet got a boost from an unexpected $8 billion stake in T-Mobile US Inc. and its 90% stake in Arm.
