In a rare public appearance, SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son predicted that artificial intelligence (AI) 10,000 times smarter than humans will emerge within the next decade. He introduced the concept of artificial super intelligence (ASI), envisioning a future where ASI models interact like neurons in the human brain, vastly surpassing human intelligence.
Son also discussed artificial general intelligence (AGI), AI that is smarter than humans by one to ten times, which he expects to see in the next three to five years. His predictions come earlier than previously anticipated.
During his speech, Son shared a personal reflection: “Two years ago, I am getting old, rest of my life is limited, but I haven’t done anything yet and I cried so hard,” suggesting he feels he hasn’t achieved anything of consequence to date. He added that he had now found SoftBank’s mission, which is the “evolution of humanity,” and has discovered his own purpose in life. “SoftBank was founded for what purpose? For what purpose was Masa Son born? It may sound strange, but I think I was born to realize ASI. I am super serious about it,” Son said.
Following his remarks, SoftBank shares fell over 3% in Japan. Son, known for his early and profitable investment in Alibaba, launched the Vision Fund in 2017 to back tech firms. Despite some successes, the fund experienced notable failures, including WeWork. After significant financial losses in 2022 and 2023, Son announced a shift from a conservative to an aggressive investment strategy, focusing on AI opportunities.
Son, who has largely remained out of the public eye, returned to the spotlight with a speech filled with existential reflections on his purpose and the future of AI. He articulated a vision where AI would not only enhance human capabilities but also fundamentally transform how we live and interact with technology.
