SoftBank Group’s board has approved a substantial payout of $22.5 billion to OpenAI, contributing to its total planned investment of $30 billion in the AI sector, as reported by Reuters. This latest funding, initially scheduled for December, hinges on OpenAI completing a corporate restructuring aimed at facilitating an IPO. If restructuring does not proceed, SoftBank’s investment will be capped at $20 billion.
In April, SoftBank committed to investing $30 billion in a profit-driven OpenAI subsidiary, intending to syndicate $10 billion to co-investors that month. Additionally, the Japanese company agreed to lead financing efforts that could total up to $40 billion. As of now, SoftBank has positioned OpenAI as a key partner, having invested $2.2 billion through the SoftBank Vision Fund 2 since September 2024. This strategic investment underscores SoftBank’s commitment to AI innovation and growth in the technology sector.
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