In a bold move to cement its role at the forefront of global technological innovation, SoftBank has announced two major investments aimed at transforming the future of AI and robotics. The first, the Stargate Project, represents a colossal $500 billion initiative to build new AI infrastructure in the United States. The second, an ongoing negotiation for a $500 million investment in Skild AI, a promising robotics startup, highlights SoftBank’s commitment to shaping the next era of autonomous systems.
The Stargate Project: A Strategic Leap for AI and National Security
The Stargate Project is poised to reshape the AI landscape with a staggering $500 billion investment over the next four years. Led by SoftBank, OpenAI, and Oracle, with financial backing from SoftBank and operational oversight from OpenAI, the initiative aims to create cutting-edge AI infrastructure in the U.S. The project’s primary goal is to ensure that America remains the global leader in AI development, while simultaneously creating hundreds of thousands of jobs and boosting the economy worldwide.
The project will begin with an immediate $100 billion investment, focused on deploying AI resources that support the re-industrialisation of the U.S. and enhance national security capabilities. SoftBank’s Masayoshi Son will chair the project, with key technology partners including NVIDIA, Oracle, and Microsoft, as well as longstanding collaborators OpenAI and Arm. The first phase of the buildout is already underway in Texas, with additional campuses planned across the country.
This ambitious infrastructure build is designed to support the development of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), marking a critical step towards AI’s potential to elevate human progress. OpenAI’s partnership with Microsoft, which has been integral since 2016, will continue to drive the consumption of Azure, providing the computational power necessary to train leading models and deliver innovative products.
“Stargate represents a step change in AI development,” said an OpenAI spokesperson. “We believe this infrastructure will unlock new capabilities that will benefit humanity across various sectors.”
SoftBank’s Investment in Skild AI: Revolutionising Robotics
Simultaneously, SoftBank is negotiating a $500 million investment in Skild AI, a cutting-edge robotics startup founded by Deepak Pathak and Abhina Gupta, both former AI researchers at Meta Platforms. Skild AI is building a general-purpose brain for robots, aiming to create a flexible and scalable AI platform capable of enabling robots to perform a variety of tasks across different environments. The company’s flagship product, the Skild Brain, is described as the first scalable robotics foundation model, allowing robots to learn and adapt to new tasks without needing pre-programmed instructions.
This breakthrough technology has the potential to revolutionise industries such as healthcare, construction, manufacturing, and logistics, addressing ongoing labour shortages and boosting productivity. Skild AI’s team includes experts from Tesla, Nvidia, Amazon, and Google, and its vision is to transform the physical economy by introducing low-cost robots capable of functioning across a wide range of tasks.
“Skild AI represents a paradigm shift in how robotics will be scaled,” said Pathak, co-founder and CEO. “Our technology offers unmatched generalisation and emergent capabilities, making it ideal for real-world environments where automation can drive efficiency.”
A Convergence of AI and Robotics Innovation
The combined investments in Stargate and Skild AI underscore SoftBank’s dual focus on advancing AI infrastructure and revolutionising robotics. As part of the Stargate Project, SoftBank is working closely with key technology partners including Microsoft, Oracle, NVIDIA, and Arm to build the AI infrastructure that will underpin future advancements. This collaboration will not only secure American leadership in AI but also bolster national security by providing strategic capabilities for the U.S. and its allies.
SoftBank’s ongoing negotiations with Skild AI reflect its broader strategy of backing high-potential startups that are pushing the boundaries of AI and robotics. With Skild AI, SoftBank is betting on the future of autonomous systems that can transform productivity across sectors, furthering its vision of a world where technology elevates human potential.
Both projects illustrate SoftBank’s commitment to driving the next wave of innovation in AI and robotics, ensuring that the U.S. remains a central hub for technological advancement. As these ventures progress, they promise to reshape industries, create jobs, and redefine what’s possible in the world of artificial intelligence.
For more updates on the Stargate Project and SoftBank’s investments in AI, visit www.softbank.com.
