SoftBank's Masayoshi Son Proposes $1 Trillion AI and Robotics Hub in Arizona

SoftBank reportedly looking to launch a trillion-dollar AI and robotics industrial complex | TechCrunch

Just months after announcing its involvement in the $500 billion Stargate AI Infrastructure project, of which SoftBank is rumored to be fronting a cool $19 billion, the Japanese investing conglomerate is reportedly looking to launch its largest AI project yet. The company is looking to team up with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) to launch a trillion-dollar industrial complex in Arizona to build AI and robotics, according to reporting from Bloomberg, citing sources familiar with the project. The initiative, dubbed Project Crystal Land, appears to still be in its very early stages. Despite SoftBank's desire to work with TSMC on the project, it's unclear what TSMC's role would be, according to Bloomberg, or if it would be interested in joining forces with SoftBank at all -- TSMC already has its own AI infrastructure projects in Arizona in the works. TechCrunch reached out to SoftBank for more information.

Trump and TSMC pitched $1 trillion AI complex -- SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son wants to turn Arizona into the next Shenzhen

Masayoshi Son, founder of SoftBank Group, is working on plans to develop a giant AI and manufacturing industrial hub in Arizona, potentially costing up to $1 trillion if it reaches full scale, reports Bloomberg. The concept of what is internally called Project Crystal Land involves creating a complex for building artificial intelligence systems and robotics. Son has talked to TSMC, Samsung, and the Trump administration about the project. Masayoshi Son's Project Crystal Land aims to replicate the scale and integration of China's Shenzhen by establishing a high-tech hub focused on manufacturing AI-powered industrial robots and advancing artificial intelligence technologies. The site would host factories operated by SoftBank-backed startups specializing in automation and robotics, Vision Fund portfolio companies (such as Agile Robots SE), and potentially involve major tech partners like TSMC and Samsung. If fully realized, the project could cost up to $1 trillion and is intended to position the U.S. as a leading center for AI and high-tech manufacturing. SoftBank is looking to include TSMC in the initiative, given its role in fabricating Nvidia's AI processors. However, a Bloomberg source familiar with TSMC's internal thinking indicated that the company's current plan to invest $165 billion in total in its U.S. projects has no relation to SoftBank's projects. Samsung Electronics has also been approached about participating, the report says. Talks have been held with government officials to explore tax incentives for companies investing in the manufacturing hub. This includes communication with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, according to Bloomberg. SoftBank is reportedly seeking support at both the federal and state levels, which could be crucial to the success of the project. The development is still in the early stages, and feasibility will depend on private sector interest and political support, sources familiar with SoftBank's plans told Bloomberg. To finance its Project Crystal Land, SoftBank is considering project-based financing structures typically used in large infrastructure developments like pipelines. This approach would enable fundraising on a per-project basis and reduce the amount of upfront capital required from SoftBank itself. A similar model is being explored for the Stargate AI data center initiative, which SoftBank is jointly pursuing with OpenAI, Oracle, and Abu Dhabi's MGX. Melissa Otto of Visible Alpha suggested in a Bloomberg interview that rather than spending heavily, Son might more efficiently support his AI project by fostering partnerships between manufacturers, AI engineers, and specialists in fields like medicine and robotics, and by backing smaller startups. However, she notes that investing in data centers could also reduce AI development costs and drive wider adoption, which would be good for the long term for AI in general and Crystal Land specifically. Nonetheless, it is still too early to judge the outcome. The rumor about the Crystal Land project has emerged as SoftBank is expanding its investments in AI on an already large scale. The company is preparing a $30 billion investment in OpenAI and a $6.5 billion acquisition of Ampere Computing, a cloud-native CPU company. While these initiatives are actively developing, the pace of fundraising for the Stargate infrastructure has been slower than initially expected. SoftBank's liquidity at the end of March stood at approximately ¥3.4 trillion ($23 billion). To increase available funds, the company recently sold about a quarter of its T-Mobile U.S. stake, raising $4.8 billion. It also holds ¥25.7 trillion ($176.46 billion) in net assets, the largest portion of which is in chip designer Arm Holdings. Such vast resources provide SoftBank with room to secure additional financing if necessary, Bloomberg notes

Masayoshi Son Pitches $1 Trillion US AI Hub to TSMC, Trump Team

SoftBank Group Corp. founder Masayoshi Son is seeking to team up with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. to realize what could be his biggest bet yet -- a trillion-dollar industrial complex in Arizona to build robots and artificial intelligence. Son envisions a version of the vast manufacturing hub of China's Shenzhen that would bring back high-tech manufacturing to the US, according to people familiar with the billionaire's thinking. The park may comprise production lines for AI-powered industrial robots, they said, asking not to be named as the plan remains private.

Softbank's Son pitches $1 trillion US AI hub to TSMC and Trump team, Bloomberg News reports

June 20 (Reuters) - SoftBank Group Corp (9984.T), opens new tab founder Masayoshi Son is seeking to team up with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (2330.TW), opens new tab to build a trillion-dollar industrial complex in Arizona to build robots and artificial intelligence, Bloomberg News reported on Friday citing people familiar with the matter. Reuters could not immediately verify the report. Reporting by Anusha Shah in Bengaluru; Editing by Janane Venkatraman Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab Suggested Topics:Media & Telecom

SoftBank founder Son eyes trillion-dollar TSMC partnership for Arizona AI hub

The founder of Japanese investment holding company SoftBank Group Corp. wants to team up with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) to develop a trillion-dollar industrial robotics and AI industrial complex in Arizona, Bloomberg reported Thursday. The big picture: SoftBank's billionaire founder, Masayoshi Son, is eyeing a plan, dubbed "Project Crystal Land," that could house production lines for AI-powered industrial robots, Bloomberg reported. Yes, but: It remains unclear whether TSMC would be interested, per Bloomberg. Zoom in: The plans will largely hinge on potential support from the Trump administration and Arizona officials, and the scale would depend on interest from other Big Tech companies. Context: TSMC, which already has begun manufacturing microchips at its massive plant in north Phoenix, announced last month it's increasing its investment in the facility to $165 billion.

SoftBank's Masayoshiih Son pitches $1 trillion US AI hub to TSMC and Trump team: Report

SoftBank officials have spoken with US federal and state government officials to discuss possible tax breaks for companies building factories or otherwise investing in the industrial park, including talks with US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, Bloomberg said.SoftBank Group Corp founder Masayoshi Son is seeking to team up with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co for a trillion-dollar industrial complex in Arizona to build robots and artificial intelligence, Bloomberg News reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter. A commitment of $1 trillion is double that of the $500 billion "Stargate" project which seeks to build out data centre capacity across the US, funded by SoftBank, OpenAI and Oracle . SoftBank is keen to have TSMC involved in the project but it is not clear the Taiwanese company would be interested, Bloomberg reported on Friday. SoftBank declined to comment. TSMC did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The White House and US Department of Commerce did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Masayoshi Son pitches $1 trillion U.S. AI hub to TSMC and Trump team

SoftBank Group founder Masayoshi Son is seeking to team up with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. to realize what could be his biggest bet yet -- a trillion-dollar industrial complex in Arizona to build robots and artificial intelligence. Son envisions a version of the vast manufacturing hub of China's Shenzhen that would bring back high-tech manufacturing to the U.S., according to people familiar with the billionaire's thinking. The park may comprise production lines for AI-powered industrial robots, they said, asking not to be named as the plan remains private. SoftBank officials are keen to have the Taiwanese maker of Nvidia's advanced AI chips play a prominent role in the project, although it's not clear what part Son sees for TSMC, which already plans to invest $165 billion in the U.S. and has started mass production at its first Arizona factory. Nor is it clear that TSMC would be interested. A person familiar with the chipmaker's thinking said that SoftBank's project has no bearing on TSMC's plans in Phoenix.

SoftBank's Masayoshi Son Proposes $1 Trillion Robotics And AI Hub In Arizona With TSMC - Oracle (NYSE:ORCL), SoftBank Group (OTC:SFTBY)

SoftBank Group Corp. SFTBY founder Masayoshi Son is spearheading an alliance with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. TSM, proposing a $1 trillion industrial complex in Arizona. Son intends to double down on the robotics and artificial intelligence infrastructure with this project. What Happened: The proposed mega project aims to position the US as a global hub of robotics and hardware manufacturing, according to a Bloomberg report. This project is separate from the Stargate project, a joint venture led by OpenAI, SoftBank, and Oracle Corp. ORCL. The company's latest Arizona plan would go beyond data centers and focus on AI-enabled manufacturing and robotics, expanding its footprint from digital infrastructure to physical AI deployment. Also Read: OpenAI And SoftBank's Stargate Considers Major UK Investment To Fuel AI Growth Why It Matters: Softbank is determined to have the Taiwanese company on board for the project, as per Bloomberg's report. SoftBank seeks to leverage the Trump administration's interest in developing domestic high-tech manufacturing with federal and state tax incentives to encourage investment in the proposed Arizona industrial complex. With the tussle between the U.S.-China tech intensifying and the semiconductor supply chain being erratic in the current tariff war, Son's $1 trillion bet could be a game-changer for the US. But convincing the investors and policymakers and the lack of interest indicated by the TSMC, could be a hindrance. Read Next: SoftBank Moves To Raise $4.9 Billion With Overnight T-Mobile Block Sale -- Stock Drops 4% After Hours As Investors Digest Discount Photo: Michael Vi/Shutterstock ORCLOracle Corp$211.450.28%Stock Score Locked: Edge Members Only Benzinga Rankings give you vital metrics on any stock - anytime. Unlock RankingsEdge RankingsMomentum88.65Growth58.34QualityNot AvailableValue14.01Price TrendShortMediumLongOverviewSFTBYSoftBank Group Corp$29.80-0.03%TSMTaiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd$215.000.70%Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs

SoftBank CEO Wants To Create a Trillion-Dollar "Crystal Land" In Arizona Which Will Drive Up the US Dominance In The AI Sector; TSMC & NVIDIA to Be Potentially Onboard As Well

SoftBank's CEO, Masayoshi Son, is known for his optimistic ideas, and it seems like he has come up with a new one, as he is looking to team up with TSMC for a "trillion-dollar" project. SoftBank's CEO Wants To Ensure That the US Has Its Own Manufacturing Hub, Similar To China's Shenzhen There's no doubt that chip production has evolved into a matter of "national security" for countries like the US and China, and they are pouring in resources to ensure that they remain relevant in this segment. This hype has been capitalized on by investors like Masayoshi Son, who aims to develop a massive manufacturing hub in the US, which will be backed by TSMC and NVIDIA, and will ensure that the US stays ahead in the race for AI supremacy. Codenamed "Project Crystal Land", it involves building a complex in Arizona and is a project that promotes the development of AI infrastructure, and most of all, will cost $1 trillion (via Bloomberg). Well, the Japanese investor is known for his "large-scale" investment proposals, many of which don't even exist. Backed when President Trump was elected, Son announced to invest over $200 billion into the US, through various projects, notably the famous "Stargate" initiative, which involved OpenAI, Oracle, and many other Big Tech firms. Now, SoftBank's CEO has plans to replicate what China has done with Shenzhen, which is to create a manufacturing hub that will allow the US to maintain self-reliance in fields like AI, humanoid robots, and chip production. Son's visit to create an industrial park in the US has met with skepticism, particularly with how SoftBank's CEO is known to drive up stock prices by his "over-optimistic" plans, which are later abandoned due to financial constraints. SoftBank is reportedly in talks with the federal government about getting incentives and investment from authorities for the Arizona project, and the company is also looking to partner up with TSMC and NVIDIA to ensure that Big Tech is onboard as well. The exact specifics of the plans haven't been revealed yet, and we only know that it will be a manufacturing hub. Still, considering TSMC's investments in the US, the Taiwan giant could hesitate to partner with SoftBank, since it has its own thing going. For now, Son's vision of Crystal Land are just plans, and given the history, we should take such announcements with a grain of salt.

SoftBank Seeks Support for Proposed $1 Trillion Complex to Build Robots and AI | PYMNTS.com

The company's founder, Masayoshi Son, has discussed partnerships with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) and Samsung Electronics and has sought tax incentives from U.S. federal and state government officials, Reuters reported Friday (June 20), citing an article by Bloomberg. Discussions about the project are in their early stages and there's no guarantee the proposal will move forward, according to the report. It was reported in March that SoftBank was planning to invest $1 trillion to build AI-equipped factories in industrial parks across the U.S. to provide a solution for American manufacturers that are facing labor shortages. In December, Son said that SoftBank would invest $100 billion in the U.S. over the next four years and that the investment would create at least 100,000 jobs focused on AI and related infrastructure. While announcing that investment, Son said: "My confidence level to the economy of the United States has tremendously increased with [then-President-elect Donald Trump's] victory. President Trump is a double-down president. I'm going to have to double down." SoftBank is already a participant in Stargate, the four-year, $500 billion project to build data centers and other AI infrastructure in the U.S. Son, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Oracle founder Larry Ellison announced Stargate in January, with MGX being another equity holder and Nvidia, Arm and Microsoft being among the project's technical partners. Artificial intelligence data centers are needed because traditional data centers and power grids are struggling to accommodate the intense computational power, data storage and energy required by AI, PYMNTS reported at the time. It was reported in May 2024 that SoftBank was planning to invest nearly $9 billion in AI and that the company's outlay for investments and commitments had more than doubled in the 12 months since Son said the company was ready to go on the "counteroffensive." SoftBank Chief Financial Officer Yoshimitsu Goto said at the time: "The reason we've been keeping our balance sheet at a very safe level is because we would like to be prepared, and we would like to be flexible if there is anything that we would like to move on."

SoftBank pitches US$1 trillion Arizona AI hub, Bloomberg News reports

SoftBank Group founder Masayoshi Son is envisaging setting up a US$1 trillion industrial complex in Arizona that will build robots and artificial intelligence, Bloomberg News reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter. Son is seeking to team up with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) for the project, which is aimed at bringing back high-end tech manufacturing to the U.S. and to create a version of China's vast manufacturing hub of Shenzhen, the report said. SoftBank officials have spoken with U.S. federal and state government officials to discuss possible tax breaks for companies building factories or otherwise investing in the industrial park, including talks with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, the report said. SoftBank is keen to have TSMC involved in the project, codenamed Project Crystal Land, but it is not clear in what capacity, the report said. It is also not clear the Taiwanese company would be interested, it said. TSMC is already building chipmaking factories in the U.S. with a planned investment of $165 billion. Son is also sounding out interest among tech companies including Samsung Electronics, the report said. The plans are preliminary and feasibility depends on support from the Trump administration and state officials, it said. A commitment of $1 trillion would be double that of the $500 billion "Stargate" project which seeks to build out data center capacity across the U.S., with funding from SoftBank, OpenAI and Oracle. SoftBank and TSMC declined to comment. The White House and U.S. Department of Commerce did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The proposed scheme follows a series of big investment announcements SoftBank has made this year. In March it announced it would acquire U.S. semiconductor design company Ampere for $6.5 billion and in April said it would underwrite up to $40 billion of new investment in OpenAI, of which up to $10 billion would be syndicated to other investors. This week SoftBank raised $4.8 billion from a sale of shares in T-Mobile TMUS.O.

SoftBank pitches chip giant TSMC on building $1 trillion AI hub in...

SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son is pitching Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company on a massive $1 trillion complex in the US to build robots and artificial intelligence, according to a report. The giant robotics center would be based in Arizona, a version of the production hub seen in the Chinese city of Shenzhen that could help bring manufacturing back to the US, sources told Bloomberg. It comes as President Trump has been calling for an all-hands approach to bringing manufacturing opportunities to the US, especially by tech companies and automakers. Son is seeking out TSMC invest $165 billion in the US and has opened its first Arizona factory - as a partner, according to the report. It's unclear what role Son sees for the Taiwanese chip giant, which makes Nvidia's most advanced chips, and if the company would even be interested in the project. TSMC declined to comment. Codenamed "Project Crystal Land," the complex is a clear attempt not only to advance artificial intelligence but to ensure a lasting legacy for Son, who has often talked down his past accomplishments and abandoned projects midway, sources told Bloomberg. The ambitious, one-of-a-kind facility would require support from the Trump administration. SoftBank officials have spoken with federal and state officials, including Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, to discuss possible tax breaks for firms building factories or investing in the complex, sources told Bloomberg. Son is also speaking with major tech companies as possible investors, like South Korea's Samsung. SoftBank, Samsung and the White House did not immediately respond to The Post's requests for comment. Son's company has invested heavily in ChatGPT maker OpenAI, recently leading a $40 billion funding round for the Sam Altman-led firm as the two seek to raise hundreds of billions of dollars to fund large data centers in the US. These data centers are crucial to the artificial intelligence industry, which requires vast amounts of power and large storage capabilities. SoftBank's campaigning process for the Arizona complex could signal that its money-raising efforts alongside OpenAI are proceeding at a slower pace than they had anticipated, according to the report. Son has created a list of companies that might take part in the Arizona manufacturing hub, like automation company Agile Robots SE, sources said. Meanwhile, SoftBank is exploring project financing options for Stargate, its $500 billion initiative to build data centers in the US with OpenAI and Oracle. This financing method could allow SoftBank to raise funding on a project-by-project basis, which is easier than gathering a large sum of money upfront. The same process could potentially be used for Project Crystal Land, according to the Bloomberg report. These plans are still preliminary and could change, sources told the news outlet.

Softbank CEO Son pitches $1 trln US AI hub to TSMC, Trump admin.- Bloomberg By Investing.com

Investing.com-- SoftBank Group Corp. (TYO:9984) CEO Masayoshi Son is seeking to partner with chipmaker TSMC (NYSE:TSM) and the Donald Trump administration to build a $1 trillion, artificial intelligence-dedicated complex in the U.S., Bloomberg reported on Friday. Son plans to build a manufacturing hub and industrial complex that could rival China's Shenzhen, the Bloomberg report said, citing people familiar with the "billionaire's thinking." The complex will include production lines for building AI-powered industrial robots, and is largely aimed at bringing back high-tech manufacturing to the U.S., which is also a key goal of the Trump administration. The proposed project is called "Project Crystal Land," the Bloomberg report said, and it was unclear if TSMC was already involved in the venture. Son had reportedly discussed potential tax incentives with U.S. government officials, including Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, and has also reached out to other tech firms, including Samsung (KS:005930), for the project. Son is also considering involving Softbank (OTC:SFTBY) portfolio companies in the project. Softbank is already leading a $500 billion effort with OpenAI, called Project Stargate, to build out more AI data center capacity in the United States. This comes as Son largely sticks to his earlier-stated objective of investing aggressively in AI. Softbank also led a recent $40 billion funding round in OpenAI.

SoftBank's Son pitches $1 trillion Arizona AI hub, Bloomberg News reports

(Reuters) -SoftBank Group founder Masayoshi Son is envisaging setting up a $1 trillion industrial complex in Arizona that will build robots and artificial intelligence, Bloomberg News reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter. Son is seeking to team up with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co for the project, which is aimed at bringing back high-end tech manufacturing to the U.S. and to create a version of China's vast manufacturing hub of Shenzhen, the report said. SoftBank officials have spoken with U.S. federal and state government officials to discuss possible tax breaks for companies building factories or otherwise investing in the industrial park, including talks with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, the report said. SoftBank is keen to have TSMC involved in the project, codenamed Project Crystal Land, but it is not clear in what capacity, the report said. It is also not clear the Taiwanese company would be interested, it said. TSMC is already building chipmaking factories in the U.S. with a planned investment of $165 billion. Son is also sounding out interest among tech companies including Samsung Electronics, the report said. The plans are preliminary and feasibility depends on support from the Trump administration and state officials, it said. A commitment of $1 trillion would be double that of the $500 billion "Stargate" project which seeks to build out data centre capacity across the U.S., with funding from SoftBank, OpenAI and Oracle. SoftBank and TSMC declined to comment. The White House and U.S. Department of Commerce did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The proposed scheme follows a series of big investment announcements SoftBank has made this year. In March it announced it would acquire U.S. semiconductor design company Ampere for $6.5 billion and in April said it would underwrite up to $40 billion of new investment in OpenAI, of which up to $10 billion would be syndicated to other investors. This week SoftBank raised $4.8 billion from a sale of shares in T-Mobile. (Reporting by Anusha Shah in Bengaluru, and Anton Bridge and Sam Nussey in Tokyo; Editing by Janane Venkatraman and Muralikumar Anantharaman)

SoftBank's Son pitches $1 trillion US AI hub to TSMC and Trump team, Bloomberg News reports

(Reuters) -SoftBank Group Corp founder Masayoshi Son is seeking to team up with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co for a trillion-dollar industrial complex in Arizona to build robots and artificial intelligence, Bloomberg News reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter. SoftBank officials have spoken with U.S. federal and state government officials to discuss possible tax breaks for companies building factories or otherwise investing in the industrial park, including talks with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, Bloomberg said. A commitment of $1 trillion is double that of the $500 billion "Stargate" project which seeks to build out data centre capacity across the U.S., funded by SoftBank, OpenAI and Oracle. SoftBank is keen to have TSMC involved in the project but it is not clear the Taiwanese company would be interested, Bloomberg reported on Friday. SoftBank declined to comment. TSMC did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The White House and U.S. Department of Commerce did not immediately respond to requests for comment. (Reporting by Anusha Shah in Bengaluru, and Anton Bridge and Sam Nussey in Tokyo; Editing by Janane Venkatraman and Muralikumar Anantharaman)

Masayoshi Son dreams of a $1 trillion AI mega-hub in Arizona

SoftBank wants to make Arizona a hub for artificial intelligence with a titanic project: an industrial complex estimated to cost $1 trillion. asayoshi Son, founder of SoftBank, aims to create a colossal industrial complex dedicated to artificial intelligence and robotics in the United States, estimated to be worth $1 trillion. According to Bloomberg News, the Japanese magnate is seeking to partner Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) on this titanic project planned for Arizona. The western US state is thus positioning itself as a hub for the latest AI projects. According to sources close to the matter, SoftBank representatives have already begun talks with US federal and local officials to negotiate tax breaks for companies that would invest or build facilities in the industrial park. The group is said to have met with US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick. This project, which aims to become a hub for AI and robot production in the US, would represent a financial commitment twice as large as the "Stargate" program launched earlier this year by SoftBank in partnership with OpenAI and Oracle, which aims to deploy data centers across the US for $500 billion. SoftBank is keen for TSMC to take part in the project, but the Taiwanese semiconductor giant's interest remains uncertain, according to Bloomberg sources.