(Reuters) – SoftBank Group CEO Masayoshi Son is planning to borrow $16 billion to invest in AI, an executive at the company told Banks last week, an Information Technology News website reported on Saturday.
Japanese tech investors could borrow another $8 billion in early 2026, the report added.
Reuters reported in January that SoftBank is in talks to invest up to $25 billion in ChatGPT’s Openai as Japanese conglomerates continue to expand into the sector.
SoftBank’s investments reportedly cite people familiar with the issue, along with the $15 billion that it already committed to Stargate.
Information previously reported that SoftBank plans to invest a total of $40 billion in Stargate and Openai, and has begun discussions to borrow funding up to $18.5 billion, supported by publicly listed assets.
Stargate is a joint venture between Oracle, Openai and SoftBank, and is planning to invest up to $500 billion to help the US stay ahead of China and other rivals in the global AI race.
The venture was announced at the White House in January by Openry CEO Sam Altman, SoftBank’s son, and Oracle Chairman Larry Ellison.
(Reporting by Anusha Shah of Bengaluru, edited by William MacLean)
