In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son has expressed his belief that artificial intelligence and computing power are growing at an impressive pace, though they have not yet reached their peak. He sees the future of the robotics industry as a beacon of hope for humanity. According to recent reports, Son emphasized that the acquisition of ARM by SoftBank is just the beginning of a significant surge in demand for semiconductor products. He predicts that by the end of this century, robots will surpass humans in the smart technology arena.
Last year, SoftBank made a landmark deal by acquiring chip designer ARM Holdings for $32 billion. The company anticipates that the global chip market will eventually reach one trillion units, with a vast majority—between 90% and 99%—being designed by ARM. This strategic move highlights SoftBank’s confidence in the future of semiconductor technology.
[Image: ARM controls 90% of the chip market, Softbank Sun is more optimistic about the robot industry]
This isn't the only major bet SoftBank has placed in the chip industry. The company also invested $4 billion in NVIDIA, reinforcing its commitment to the technological singularity. Some scientists believe that in the near future, robots could become smarter than humans. Son envisions a future where the "IQ" of robotic systems could reach an astonishing 10,000 points within the next 80 years.
At the Future Investment Initiative conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Son unveiled his $100 billion vision fund, which focuses on investing in artificial intelligence, including robotics and autonomous vehicles. In just five months, the fund has already made 15 investments, achieving a 22% return and generating $3 billion in returns. The fund is largely backed by Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, although some investors have raised concerns about the rising valuations driven by SoftBank's heavy investment in tech startups.
Despite the challenges of past market bubbles, Son believes that many people overreacted to the so-called "peak" of the Internet. He argues that such issues are normal and not indicative of a deviation from the technology development trajectory. In fact, he notes that many tech stocks hit new highs in 2017, marking just the beginning of their valuation growth.
Son shared his thoughts on risk and reward, stating that his highest return on investment over the past 18 years was 44%. While some may view his approach as high-risk, he emphasizes that thorough research and smart decision-making can lead to both high returns and sustainable investments.
Looking ahead, Son plans to launch more funds of similar size at a faster pace. While established companies like Apple and Microsoft continue to innovate, he is particularly interested in supporting up-and-coming startups with disruptive potential.
He reiterated that the use of the internet, along with artificial intelligence and computing power, will keep expanding and has not yet reached its peak. His ultimate goal is for robots to be smarter than humans by 2050. However, he also believes that robots will not seek to harm humans but instead coexist peacefully with them.
In closing, Son said, “The gold rush is only about money. It doesn’t matter. It’s just a process. What’s more important is human happiness. How can we help ourselves and make us happier? I am a very optimistic person. I believe there is always a solution in everything.â€
Wenzhou Hesheng Electronic Co., Ltd. , https://www.heshengelec.com