SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son Predicts AI 10,000 Times Smarter Than Humans in 10 Years
Masayoshi Son, chairman and chief executive officer of SoftBank Group Corp., speaks during the company’s annual general meeting in Tokyo, Japan, on Friday, June 20, 2024. Son sketched out ambitions to help create AI thousands of times smarter than any human, making his most grandiose pronouncements since the Japanese conglomerate began taking steps to shore up its finances following a series of ill-timed startup bets.
Kosuke Okahara | Bloomberg | Getty Images
In a rare public appearance, SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son made bold predictions about the future of artificial intelligence (AI), claiming that AI 10,000 times smarter than humans will be a reality within the next 10 years. This statement, delivered during SoftBank’s annual general meeting of shareholders, marks a significant shift in Son’s pronouncements about AI’s capabilities.
Son differentiates between two key AI concepts: artificial general intelligence (AGI) and artificial super intelligence (ASI). He believes AGI, AI that surpasses human intelligence, will arrive in the next three to five years, a timeframe he considers earlier than previously anticipated.
"If AGI is not much smarter than humans, ‘then we don’t need to change the way of living, we don’t need to change the structure of human lifestyle," Son said. However, he emphasizes that ASI will be a game-changer. "But when it comes to ASI it’s a totally different story. [With] ASI, you will see a big improvement."
Son envisions a future where multiple ASI models interact, akin to neurons in a human brain, leading to an unprecedented level of intelligence. "This will lead to AI that is 10,000 times smarter than any human genius," he declared.
These pronouncements come at a time of significant financial pressure for SoftBank. The company experienced record losses in 2022 and 2023 with its Vision Fund, an investment fund focused on backing tech firms. After initially shifting to a more conservative approach, Son now sees AI as an exciting new investment opportunity, leading him to return to an "offense" posture.
Son’s speech was not just about technology; it also reflected personal introspection. "Two years ago, I am getting old, rest of my life is limited, but I haven’t done anything yet and I cried so hard," he said. This admission of doubt gave way to a declaration of purpose: "SoftBank was founded for what purpose? For what purpose was Masa Son born? It may sound strange, but I think I was born to realize ASI. I am super serious about it," Son concluded.
While Son’s predictions are ambitious, the impact of such advanced AI on society and humanity remains a topic of intense debate. The arrival of AI capable of surpassing human intelligence poses both exciting possibilities and significant ethical concerns that will need to be addressed carefully in the years to come.
