SoftBank in talks to invest up to US$25 billion in OpenAI

SOFTBANK Group is in discussions to invest as much as US$25 billion in OpenAI, in a move that would potentially make it the artificial intelligence (AI) startup’s biggest backer.

The two companies are in early talks that could see the Japanese investment firm put in between US$15 billion and US$25 billion, according to a source familiar with the matter. That would be in addition to the US$15 billion that Masayoshi Son’s SoftBank has committed to Project Stargate, the Texas-based joint venture with OpenAI to build data centres and other AI infrastructure, the source said, asking not to be named discussing private talks.

Son stood alongside OpenAI chief executive officer Sam Altman when US President Donald Trump announced the Stargate venture this month, and the two CEOs have been in contact for many years over their shared interest in advancing AI development. Together, they plan to deploy US$100 billion initially and invest as much as US$500 billion over four years in Project Stargate.

An OpenAI representative declined to comment and a SoftBank spokesperson did not immediately respond. The Financial Times first reported the talks were in progress.

Tech industry players including Elon Musk have questioned the lack of details around Stargate and its financing. The xAI founder expressed doubt whether companies that joined Trump’s announcement could follow through on their financial commitments. BLOOMBERG