SoftBank Group CEO Masayoshi Son stated on Tuesday that artificial intelligence development will demand $5 trillion in annual investment by 2040, calling concerns about a technology bubble unfounded. Over the last two years the firm has pursued major funding initiatives to position itself as a central AI platform, committing tens of billions to OpenAI, data centers and robotics companies. Son told attendees at the company’s annual conference in Tokyo that the yearly figure, equivalent to 800 trillion yen, may seem unrealistic yet represents the expected cost. He argued the expense would remain manageable because AI could account for 20 percent of global GDP by 2040, making the outlay relatively minor. Son did not detail the basis for his projections. Known for large stakes in emerging technologies, Son has seen both successes, such as early backing of Alibaba and introduction of the iPhone in Japan, and setbacks including the collapse of WeWork. The company’s largest current commitment involves OpenAI, with total funding projected to surpass $60 billion by the end of 2026. Son also estimated that AI data centers will require 3 terawatts of power generation by 2040, or 1.8 times present worldwide electricity use, initially supplied mainly by natural gas until nuclear fusion becomes dominant. He suggested fusion could prove cheaper and cleaner than space-based solar power. Son described a future in which 100 trillion AI agents operate independently, shifting society from human-centered to agent-centered systems.
