SoftBank and OpenAI Japan AI Joint Venture Faces Delays

SoftBank’s plan to launch a joint venture with OpenAI to provide AI services to Japanese corporate clients is facing delays, according to a source familiar with the matter.

Launch Pushed Back

The venture was originally scheduled to begin this summer. However, preparations have taken longer than expected, and an update on progress is now anticipated in November. The source, who requested anonymity, said details remain confidential.

Company Responses

SoftBank confirmed that preparations are ongoing but declined to share specifics. OpenAI did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son first announced the project, called SB OpenAI Japan, alongside OpenAI CEO Sam Altman in February. The venture is expected to be co-owned by OpenAI and a new entity created by SoftBank and its domestic telecom arm.

Original Timeline

At a shareholder meeting in June, telecom unit CEO Junichi Miyakawa said the target date for the launch was the end of July. He added that the venture’s product offerings were still under discussion.

SoftBank’s Renewed AI Push

After setbacks from failed tech investments, Son is returning to bold bets on artificial intelligence. In addition to OpenAI, SoftBank is pursuing other large-scale AI projects.

One of the most ambitious is the $500 billion Stargate project, aimed at building massive U.S. data centers. However, SoftBank CFO Yoshimitsu Goto said last month that the project has been delayed by negotiations over partnerships and site locations.