Son Masayoshi says there is no time to retire, sets goal of becoming No. 1 in the world as he accelerates AI ecosystem buildout

[Financial News, Tokyo = Correspondent Seo Hye-jin] Son Masayoshi, chairman of SoftBank Group, on the 24th unveiled plans to begin mass production of robots based on Physical AI. He also revealed that the company is considering an investment in Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, Japan's largest power utility, signaling plans to build AI data centers. The move suggests SoftBank is fully launching an ecosystem for Artificial Superintelligence that links AI models, semiconductors, data centers, power and robots.
According to Nikkei, Inc., Yomiuri Shimbun and other outlets, Son said at SoftBank's annual general meeting in Tokyo that "Physical AI has started mass production of robots at an existing factory." He added, "It may be the first time in the world that robots are mass-producing robots." He also said, "We will make an official announcement soon, and many people will be surprised."
Physical AI refers to technology in which AI directly controls robots and machines. Son said this marks "the era in which AI has a body," and predicted that robot use will expand rapidly in industries facing severe labor shortages, including manufacturing, construction and agriculture.
■ Seizing AI models, semiconductors, infrastructure and robots... possible investment in Tokyo Electric Power Company HoldingsThe core of Son's blueprint is a vertical integration strategy spanning the entire AI industry. Comparing competition in the AI sector to an Othello game, he stressed that "you have to capture the four corners." The four key pillars he identified are AI models, semiconductors, AI infrastructure and robots.
SoftBank has invested in OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, and owns Arm Holdings plc, a British semiconductor design company. Son's goal is to secure AI data centers, power infrastructure and the robotics business as well, and become a key platform company in the era of ASI.
In particular, Son pointed to power and data centers as the biggest bottlenecks in the AI era. He said SoftBank, a subsidiary, is seeking to participate in Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings' efforts to form partnerships with outside capital.
He said, "Japan's data center development is lagging behind." He added, "If Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings joins our group, we can increase power supply and attract AI data centers to Japan."
SoftBank is currently pursuing large-scale AI data center projects in Ohio and Texas in the United States, as well as in France. Son said the Ohio project "will become one of the world's largest data centers, using power on the scale of 10 nuclear reactors," and emphasized that "we aim to be No. 1 in the world in AI infrastructure as well."
■ "This is not an AI bubble... it will expand explosively from here"He also expressed confidence in the semiconductor business. Son said of Arm Holdings plc, "We will definitely win in the future," adding that it "will grow into a core chip company in the AI era." Rene Haas, CEO of Arm Holdings plc, also attended the meeting and predicted that demand for central processing units, or CPUs, will surge as AI spreads.
SoftBank also reshuffled its board to support expansion in robotics. At the meeting, the company appointed Tetsuji Ohashi, former chairman and special adviser of Komatsu, and Miwa Omori, an outside director at Mizuho Securities, as new outside directors.
Komatsu is known for its remote management system for construction machinery, Komtrax. Industry observers see the appointments as part of efforts to strengthen a Physical AI strategy that combines industrial machinery with AI. Omori, who comes from the U.S. financial sector, is expected to support fundraising and financial strategy for large-scale data center investments.
Son flatly rejected claims that AI is in a bubble.
He said, "There may be concerns that AI is a bubble," but added, "People said the same thing when the internet was just starting. Calling a newly born industry a bubble is an insult to AI." He went on to say, "AI's potential will expand explosively from here."
■ "I will keep going for another 10 to 15 years"... target of 1,000 trillion yen in shareholder valueHe has effectively withdrawn his retirement plan. Son, now 68, said he had previously revised his "50-year life plan" to a "60-year life plan," in which he would hand over management to a successor in his 60s.
He said, "I will work hard for another 10 to 15 years." He added, "If I retire now, I think I would have too much time on my hands, and I believe I can still contribute a little more to SoftBank's growth." He also stressed, "The AI world has only been around for about three years. There is no time to retire."
On succession, he reaffirmed the principle of internal succession rather than bringing in an outsider. Son said, "The group already has about 2,000 companies," adding that "you could say there are 2,000 successors."
He also laid out an aggressive growth target for shareholders. Son said he aims to expand net asset value, currently around 74 trillion yen, to 1,000 trillion yen within the next 16 years. That would be about 14 times the current level.
He said, "Because I want to become No. 1 in the world in creating the social foundation for the ASI era," and added, "Dividends are important, but ultimately I want to return even greater value through share price gains."
On U.S. President Donald Trump, he said, "We may have political differences, but he is a person with a very strong will to strengthen and prosper the United States." He added, "I hope he can bring peace, as conditions in the Middle East are also somewhat calming down."

sjmary@fnnews.com Seo Hye-jin Reporter