SoftBank Group chief executive Masayoshi Son is seeking to raise up to USD 100 billion from Gulf investors to finance a fresh wave of artificial intelligence (AI) investments, according to a Financial Times report published on October 9, 2026. The proposed fundraising would strengthen the Japanese technology conglomerate’s push to expand its AI portfolio and apply the technology across businesses.
Son has held discussions with senior figures in the Gulf, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), in recent weeks, the report said, citing people familiar with the matter. However, the talks remain preliminary.
According to the report, SoftBank could use the proceeds to establish a fund that would acquire companies and improve their operations using AI and other advanced technologies. The strategy would extend the group’s AI ambitions beyond investments in individual technology developers and into the wider business ecosystem.
SoftBank’s robotics unit, Roze, is also expected to play a role in the proposed initiative, the Financial Times reported. The potential fund would align with Son’s strategy of accelerating AI adoption and using advanced technology to transform business operations.
The company has not publicly confirmed the proposed fundraising. Reuters said it could not independently verify the report, while SoftBank did not respond to its request for comment.
The reported fundraising comes as SoftBank significantly increases its financial exposure to AI. Last week, the company completed its USD 30 billion follow-on investment in OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, as part of its commitment to the company’s latest funding round.
SoftBank also raised USD 11.1 billion through a high-yield corporate bond sale in September to support its investment strategy. The financing highlights the substantial capital required to pursue Son’s ambitions in the increasingly competitive AI market.
The proposed Gulf fundraising could provide SoftBank with another source of capital as it explores acquisitions and new opportunities to deploy AI across industries.
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