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SoftBank Vision Fund has announced a 20% reduction in its global workforce as part of a major restructuring effort aimed at sharpening its focus on artificial intelligence (AI). The Fund, which employs more than 300 people worldwide, said the move marks its third round of layoffs since 2022.
The restructuring reflects founder Masayoshi Son’s determination to reposition the Fund at the forefront of the global AI race, amid a surge in capital flowing into the sector. Over the past year, SoftBank has channelled $9.7 billion into OpenAI, while also backing semiconductor companies such as Graphcore and Ampere Computing, alongside strategic stakes in tech giants Intel and Nvidia. These investments highlight the firm’s strategy to build an integrated AI ecosystem spanning chips, data centres, and advanced models.
A SoftBank spokesperson explained the decision as part of a broader strategic realignment:
“We continually adjust the organisation to best execute our long-term strategy—making bold, high-conviction investments in AI and breakthrough technologies, and creating long-term value for our stakeholders.”
The development underscores how major investment houses are recalibrating their priorities in response to rapid advances in AI, positioning themselves to capture future opportunities in the technology’s infrastructure and applications.
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