Masayoshi Son Pleads for AI Advancement in Japan
In a highly anticipated and electrifying public appearance, Masayoshi Son, the founder and billionaire behind SoftBank Group, made a fervent plea for Japan to wholeheartedly embrace artificial intelligence (AI). Son spoke to an attentive crowd of domestic corporate clients of the tech investor at the annual SoftBank World event earlier this month.
A Stark Warning
In his optimistic keynote presentation, Son issued a stern warning: Japan cannot afford to squander yet another opportunity for technological advancement. Reflecting on Japan's missed opportunity during the initial internet boom, he passionately argued that the nation must not repeat history by lagging behind.
Son's frustration was palpable as he revealed a disheartening statistic: more than 70% of Japanese corporations are either restricting or contemplating banning the use of generative AI. He emphasized the gravity of the situation by drawing a vivid analogy: "Saying 'Don't use AI' is like saying, Don't drive a car or use electricity. The AI revolution is coming, whether you like it or not."
A Return to the Limelight
For months, Son had been conspicuously absent from public engagements due to what he described as a "crisis of confidence" stemming from significant losses at SoftBank's Vision Fund. However, a recent resurgence in enthusiasm for AI, partly fueled by the IPO of Arm Holdings and innovations like OpenAI's ChatGPT, appears to have rekindled his spirits.
In the past fiscal year, SoftBank's Vision Fund incurred substantial losses, prompting a defensive and mostly inactive posture. However, it is said that SoftBank is equipped with over $40 billion in reserves and is preparing to recommence its investment activities.
The vision of AI
Son's 90-minute address commenced with a striking visual representation, a fishbowl graphic, symbolizing his unwavering commitment to AI. He prophesied that those who resist AI adoption will inevitably become as uninformed as a goldfish, incapable of comprehending intricate forms of communication. He boldly predicted that, within a decade, AI will have access to a wealth of information ten times greater than the cumulative knowledge of all humanity.
SoftBank's AI Initiatives
Son proudly announced SoftBank's enthusiasm for AI integration. The telecommunications giant has entered into a strategic partnership with Microsoft to promote OpenAI services in Japan and is actively developing its own chatbot, proficient in the Japanese language. SoftBank controls an array of popular online services in Japan, including PayPay, Line, and Yahoo Japan.
As the session drew to a close, Son delivered a rallying cry, urging Japan to "wake up!" He expressed his enjoyment in witnessing debates among ChatGPT bots, finding them to be a cost-effective alternative to the sometimes contentious boardroom discussions. He declared his unwavering commitment to supporting progress and stressed that Japan must not fall behind in the rapidly advancing world of AI.
Based in Tokyo, An-yal is the leading independent advertising agency for global lifestyle brands in Japan and worldwide. Contact us to get ahead with your integrated marketing and creative needs.
