SoftBank is in discussions to invest as much as $25 billion into OpenAI, a deal that would make the Japanese conglomerate one of the ChatGPT maker's largest financial backers, according to people familiar with the matter. The talks are ongoing, and the final investment amount remains uncertain.
The move is part of a broader effort by SoftBank's founder and CEO, Masayoshi Son, to establish a dominant presence in artificial intelligence. The company has already committed over $15 billion to Stargate, a joint venture involving OpenAI and Oracle aimed at developing large-scale AI infrastructure in the United States. The project is expected to require as much as $500 billion over the next four years, making it one of the most ambitious AI investments to date.
A direct investment of $15 billion to $25 billion in OpenAI would significantly deepen SoftBank's involvement with the AI firm. If the deal goes through, SoftBank's total financial exposure to OpenAI and Stargate could exceed $40 billion, making it one of the largest single investments in the sector. The discussions have been underway for months, with SoftBank considering a primary equity stake in OpenAI to strengthen its influence over the company's future direction.
OpenAI, which has raised around $20 billion over multiple funding rounds, is primarily backed by Microsoft, which invested roughly $13 billion into the company. The startup was valued at $157 billion in 2024, making it one of the most valuable AI firms globally. Microsoft has long served as OpenAI's exclusive cloud provider, but the company has been seeking ways to reduce its dependence on the tech giant by partnering with other firms, including Oracle.
SoftBank and OpenAI have declined to comment on the investment talks, and no final agreement has been reached.