According to a report by ‘The Information’ on Saturday, SoftBank Group CEO Masayoshi Son is planning to secure a $16 billion loan to fund investments in artificial intelligence (AI). The news, citing sources familiar with the matter, indicates that SoftBank executives informed banks of the plan last week. Additionally, the report suggests that the Japanese tech investor may seek an additional $8 billion in early 2026.

This move aligns with SoftBank’s broader strategy to deepen its presence in the AI sector. In January, Reuters reported that SoftBank was in discussions to invest up to $25 billion in OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT. This potential investment would come on top of the $15 billion SoftBank has already committed to Stargate, a joint venture involving Oracle, OpenAI, and SoftBank.

Stargate, which aims to invest up to $500 billion, is part of a strategic effort to ensure the United States maintains a competitive edge over China and other global rivals in the AI race. The venture was officially announced in January at the White House, with U.S. President Donald Trump, SoftBank’s Masayoshi Son, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, and Oracle Chairman Larry Ellison in attendance.

Earlier reports from The Information revealed that SoftBank was considering a total investment of $40 billion in Stargate and OpenAI, with plans to borrow up to $18.5 billion in financing backed by its publicly listed assets.