SoftBank Group is poised to make a significant move in the AI sector by approving a $22.5 billion second payment, completing its $30 billion investment in OpenAI. This massive funding round, totaling $41 billion, has valued OpenAI at around $500 billion in the private market. However, the investment hinges on OpenAI’s transition to a for-profit Public Benefit Corporation by 2025; failing this, SoftBank’s commitment will reduce to $20 billion. OpenAI’s revenue surged from $3.7 billion in 2024 to an annualized $12 billion mid-2025, primarily fueled by ChatGPT subscriptions. As part of its AI strategy, SoftBank is also pursuing a $5 billion loan backed by Arm Holdings and has initiated a $2.9 billion bond sale. The CEO, Masayoshi Son, emphasizes AI’s potential, positioning SoftBank as a major stakeholder in the rapidly evolving technology landscape alongside Microsoft.
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