孙正义梭哈OpenAI,软银400亿美元已到位!

Core Viewpoint - SoftBank has made a significant investment in OpenAI, committing a total of $40 billion, which positions it as the second-largest external shareholder after Microsoft, indicating a strategic shift towards AI investments [1][4]. Investment Details - SoftBank completed the final payment of its investment last week, amounting to between $22 billion and $22.5 billion [2]. - Previously, SoftBank led a fundraising effort of $10 billion and directly invested $8 billion into OpenAI [3]. - The investment has pushed OpenAI's valuation to $500 billion, with speculation of it reaching $830 billion in the next funding round [5]. Strategic Moves - In March, SoftBank was reported to finalize a $40 billion investment in OpenAI at a pre-investment valuation of $26 billion, with funds allocated for AI infrastructure projects in collaboration with Oracle [6]. - In October, SoftBank sold all its NVIDIA shares worth $5.8 billion and reduced its stake in T-Mobile by $9.17 billion to fund this investment [6][8]. - The company also announced significant layoffs, which has drawn market attention [7]. AI Industry Context - SoftBank's divestment from NVIDIA, an "AI shovel supplier," reflects a strategic pivot towards core AI application platforms, with expectations of substantial returns as OpenAI plans for a potential IPO at a $1 trillion valuation [8]. - The company has been heavily investing in technology and AI sectors for a long time, including a recent $4 billion acquisition of DigitalBridge to strengthen its AI infrastructure [10]. Leadership Perspective - Masayoshi Son, the CEO of SoftBank, expressed that selling NVIDIA shares was a painful decision, emphasizing the long-term potential of AI to contribute significantly to global GDP [12]. - The ongoing AI revolution has seen major tech companies ramping up investments in infrastructure to meet the growing demand for AI solutions [13].