▲ Masayoshi Son, Chairman of SoftBank Group
Masayoshi Son, Chairman of Japan's SoftBank Group (SBG), predicted that the future development of artificial intelligence (AI) will lead to a point where "the evolution of Artificial Super Intelligence (ASI) will allow one person to do the work of 1,000."
According to the Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei), Chairman Son made these remarks during SoftBank Group's annual general meeting of shareholders held in Tokyo on Wednesday, stating, "AI is evolving at a speed that leaves no time to sleep."
He added that to realize ASI, which surpasses human intelligence, he "will pursue the construction and evolution of AI intelligence models together with OpenAI in the United States."
SoftBank is investing approximately 65 billion dollars, or about 100 trillion won, in OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT.
Dismissing the "AI bubble" theory, Chairman Son stated, "The AI revolution has just begun. To call an industry that has only just started a 'bubble' is an insult."
He noted that it has only been three years since the "AI world practically began," adding that "the world of superintelligence will grow rapidly."
Regarding physical AI, he described it as "intelligence gaining a body," explaining that robots could perform dangerous tasks in factories and contribute to resolving labor shortages in sectors such as agriculture.
When asked about the possibility of using physical AI for projects like data center construction, Chairman Son replied, "We have already started mass-producing robots in existing factories," adding, "I would like to make an official announcement soon."
Regarding the potential investment in Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) by its subsidiary SoftBank, he said, "If it happens, we will attract new AI data centers to Japan."
He also offered sharp criticism, noting that the power industry is "tightly bound by regulations," adding, "It takes six years just to apply for permits. I don't know how far AI will have advanced in six years."
This is interpreted as an expression of his view that while AI development requires data centers and massive amounts of electricity, Japan's current power infrastructure and regulations are becoming obstacles to AI progress.
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
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