SoftBank Group CEO Masayoshi Son stated on Tuesday that he is a “heavy user” of Microsoft-backed startup OpenAI’s artificial intelligence-powered chatbot ChatGPT.
Son informed shareholders of the group’s telecommunications subsidiary, “I use ChatGPT every day – I am a heavy user.”
Son has moved back from public pronouncements in recent months to concentrate on the planned listing of chip designer Arm, as his technology investment conglomerate records a significant loss due to the portfolio’s declining value.
Son added that he communicates “almost daily” with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, who made high-profile visits to Tokyo this year in an effort to capitalize on interest in generative AI and exert influence over the global regulation of the burgeoning technology.
Son of SoftBank claims to be a ‘frequent user’ of ChatGPT.
The San Francisco-based startup is backed by Microsoft, which is regarded as a leader in AI adoption and has launched a number of AI enhancements.
SoftBank will conduct its annual general meeting on Wednesday, with the market anticipating Son’s investment outlook at a time when interest in artificial intelligence is propelling global capital expenditures.
Son has long argued that AI is the propelling force behind his investing activity. However, he has had to contend with high-profile failures, such as office-sharing company WeWork, and a decline in valuations of the high-growth ventures he favors.
A successful listing of Cambridge, England-based Arm would be viewed as a crucial victory for the indebted Japanese conglomerate, whose long-term credit rating was downgraded by S&P Global Ratings last month due to its exposure to unlisted companies.
During a time when observers are debating Son’s ability to identify victors in an economy that is anticipated to be increasingly propelled by AI, his firm’s shares have been swept up in a 30% quarter-to-date rally for chip and AI-related equities.
