SoftBank Reshapes Workforce to Fuel AI Ambitions Amid Stargate Project Delays

SoftBank Group is slashing 20% of its global Vision Fund team to reallocate resources toward artificial intelligence initiatives, according to an internal memo obtained by Reuters. The move follows a $2.87 billion quarterly profit driven by stakes in Nvidia and Coupang, alongside a rebound in its tech investment arm.

The Japanese conglomerate is doubling down on U.S. AI infrastructure with a $2 billion Intel investment and TSMC partnership. Its delayed $500 billion Stargate data center project—a joint venture with OpenAI—now faces extended timelines, with updates deferred until November.

Masayoshi Son's ambitions extend beyond Stargate. SoftBank is reportedly developing "Project Crystal Land," a $1 trillion AI and robotics manufacturing hub, though details remain undisclosed. The restructuring underscores Silicon Valley's accelerating capital rotation from venture funding to foundational AI infrastructure.