SoftBank Shifts Strategy in India: AI Integration Through BPO Buyouts

SoftBank, led by Masayoshi Son, is pivoting from tech startup investments to acquiring Indian IT and business process outsourcing (BPO) firms to accelerate AI adoption. A failed $1 billion bid for AGS Health hasn't deterred ambitions—the conglomerate remains in talks with companies like WNS Global for acquisitions or partnerships.

India's lack of homegrown large language models presents a strategic opportunity. SoftBank aims to inject AI into finance, healthcare, and legal services—sectors ripe for technological transformation. The focus is on mid-sized firms that can rapidly deploy AI solutions.

This aligns with SoftBank's global AI offensive, including the $500 billion Stargate Project and a $3 billion annual collaboration with OpenAI. The Vision Fund's $160 billion war chest underscores the scale of this ambition.