SoftBank Seeks Up to $100B From Gulf Investors for AI Investment Fund
SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son is seeking to raise up to $100 billion from Gulf investors to expand his artificial intelligence investment strategy, according to a Financial Times report published on October 9, 2026. The proposed fund would acquire companies and use AI and other advanced technologies to improve their operations, extending SoftBank's ambitions beyond direct investments in AI developers and infrastructure.
Discussions have reportedly taken place with senior figures in the United Arab Emirates and potentially other Gulf countries. However, the fundraising has not been confirmed as completed, and its success remains uncertain.
SoftBank Plans a New AI-Focused Investment Fund
The proposed fund would target companies whose operations could be improved through AI adoption and other advanced technologies. Rather than focusing exclusively on developing AI models, the strategy would involve applying these technologies to businesses to improve productivity and operational performance.
SoftBank's robotics and physical AI business, Roze, is also expected to play a role in the proposed strategy. The plan reflects Son's broader ambition to position SoftBank across multiple parts of the AI ecosystem, including software, chips, robotics and computing infrastructure.
Gulf Investors Emerge as Potential Funding Partners
Gulf sovereign wealth funds and investment groups have become significant participants in the global technology investment market as countries across the region seek to diversify their economies beyond oil.
Son has previously secured substantial Gulf backing. Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and Abu Dhabi's Mubadala were among the investors associated with SoftBank's first $100 billion Vision Fund, launched in 2017.
The latest reported discussions suggest that Son may once again seek capital from the region to finance an ambitious investment programme. However, no final commitments for the proposed new fund have been confirmed.
OpenAI Investment Adds to SoftBank's AI Exposure
The fundraising effort comes as SoftBank expands its exposure to artificial intelligence. The company recently completed a reported $30 billion investment in OpenAI as part of its commitment to the ChatGPT developer's latest fundraising round.
SoftBank has also raised substantial capital through debt markets to support its AI investment plans. These commitments have increased attention on how the company will finance future investments and manage the risks associated with large, concentrated positions in the AI sector.
Questions Remain Over Funding and Execution
Raising as much as $100 billion would require significant commitments from institutional investors and other potential partners. The proposed fund's final size, structure, investment timeline and participation remain uncertain while discussions continue.
The plan also faces broader questions about AI valuations and the commercial returns from applying advanced technology across businesses. Although AI adoption could improve productivity, the benefits will depend on implementation costs, operational requirements and measurable business results.
For SoftBank, the reported fundraising represents a potential next step in Masayoshi Son's strategy to expand AI investment across industries. Whether that ambition translates into a new fund of the proposed scale will depend on the outcome of negotiations with prospective investors.
