Masayoshi Son-led SoftBank Group Corporation (OTC:SFTBF) has reportedly re-committed to a $500 million investment in ChatGPT-parent OpenAI.
What Happened: This investment forms part of a larger $6.5 billion funding round, catapulting OpenAI's valuation to a staggering $150 billion, reported Financial Times, citing two people with knowledge of the deal.
The investment will be made through SoftBank's second Vision Fund, primarily backed by the personal wealth of the company's leader, Son.
This move will add SoftBank to the list of existing investors, which includes Thrive Capital and Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT).
Despite the high-profile departures from OpenAI and potential corporate restructuring, investors remain optimistic about the company's ability to push the boundaries of AI technology, the report noted.
They are betting on OpenAI's potential to outperform big tech rivals like Google and Meta, as well as startups such as Anthropic and Mistral.
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Why It Matters: Son has previously referred to himself as an avid user of OpenAI's chat service and has formed a strong connection with the company's CEO, Sam Altman.
He considers Altman to be one of the most influential figures in the world and has said that they communicate daily.
SoftBank already works with OpenAI in Japan, helping local businesses create advanced chatbots.
Last month, Apple design legend Sir Jony Ive also confirmed his collaboration with OpenAI on a new AI hardware project. Earlier, it was reported that Altman and Ive are seeking to secure $1 billion in funding from SoftBank for their new venture.
Meanwhile, Apple has reportedly pulled out of talks to invest in OpenAI's upcoming funding round. The withdrawal occurred at the last minute, just ahead of the funding round's expected closure.
Image via ChatGPT
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据报道，软银集团（OTC：SFTBF）由孙正义领导的SoftBank集团再次承诺向chatgpt概念股母公司OpenAI投资50000万美元。
事件经过：该投资是650000000美元融资轮的一部分，使OpenAI的估值飙升至惊人的1500亿美元，据《金融时报》援引两名知情人士的话报道。
这笔投资将通过软银的第二愿景基金进行，该基金主要由公司领导人孙正义的个人财富支持。
这一举动将使SoftBank成为现有投资者之一，其中还包括Thrive Capital和微软-t（NASDAQ：MSFT）。
尽管OpenAI存在知名人士的离开和潜在的企业重组，但投资者仍对该公司推动人工智能技术边界的能力持乐观态度，报告指出。
他们押注于OpenAI超越谷歌和Meta等大科技公司以及Anthropic和Mistral等初创公司的潜力。
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为何重要：孙正义此前曾自称是OpenAI聊天服务的忠实用户，并与该公司的首席执行官萨姆·奥尔特曼建立了牢固的联系。
他认为Altman是世界上最有影响力的人物之一，并表示他们每天都有交流。
SoftBank在日本已经与OpenAI合作，帮助当地企业创建先进的聊天机器人。
上个月，苹果设计传奇人物乔尼·艾维爵士也确认了他与OpenAI在一个新的人工智能硬件项目上的合作。此前，有报道称Altman和艾维正致力于从SoftBank获得10亿美元的资金支持，用于他们的创业公司。
与此同时，苹果据称退出了投资OpenAI即将进行的融资轮的谈判。这一撤资发生在最后一刻，就在预计结束融资轮之前。
图片来源于chatgpt概念股
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