SoftBank's Vision Fund is reportedly planning to reduce its workforce by approximately 20% as part of a strategic realignment spearheaded by Masayoshi Son. This restructuring signifies a shift towards prioritising substantial investments in artificial intelligence, particularly within the United States. The Vision Fund will concentrate its resources on Son's ambitious AI projects, including the proposed $500 billion Stargate initiative in partnership with OpenAI.
The move indicates a departure from a broad investment portfolio of startup companies. The Vision Fund aims to focus on high-conviction AI investments and breakthrough technologies. This adjustment follows the fund's strongest quarterly performance since June 2021, which was boosted by gains in public holdings such as Nvidia and Coupang.
Despite previous losses, SoftBank maintains a solid financial position with significant cash reserves. The restructuring marks a return to Son's high-risk, high-reward investment strategy, concentrating on capital-intensive AI infrastructure. This includes investments in OpenAI and strengthening Arm's position in the semiconductor industry.
