SoftBank Group founder Masayoshi Son announced that global artificial intelligence infrastructure will require $5 trillion in annual investment by 2040, citing the expansion of data centers, power supplies, and humanoid robots as key drivers of this massive capital need [1]. Son made these remarks during his presentation at SoftBank World 2026 in Tokyo on July 14, emphasizing that AI—including autonomous agents and humanoid robots—will fundamentally reshape labor and productivity worldwide, with AI projected to account for 20% of world GDP by 2040 [1].
Son underscored the unprecedented scale of the transformation, stating, "To build the necessary infrastructure for the AI era, we are looking at $5 trillion in annual investment by 2040 worldwide." This investment would cover not only data center construction and energy supply but also the development and deployment of advanced humanoid robots to supplement and, in some cases, supplant human labor [1].
Addressing market concerns, Son dismissed the notion of an AI bubble, declaring, "Calling AI a bubble is blasphemy." He argued that the AI revolution will have a more profound and lasting impact on global economic structures than previous technological waves, such as the internet or smartphones [1].
Son also highlighted the intensifying competition among countries and corporations to secure leadership in AI infrastructure and technology. He referenced Japan’s efforts to back SoftBank-led AI models with up to $6.2 billion in support, as well as SoftBank's own plans for an $88 billion AI data hub in France [1]. Son concluded by urging governments and the private sector to accelerate their investments to keep pace with rapid advancements in AI capabilities, warning that those who fall behind risk missing out on the economic growth and productivity gains promised by AI [1].
CONCLUSION
Masayoshi Son's call for $5 trillion in annual global investment underscores the scale and urgency of the AI infrastructure boom. With AI projected to reach 20% of world GDP by 2040, Son's remarks signal high market impact and intensifying competition among nations and corporations. The market takeaway is clear: accelerated investment in AI infrastructure is seen as critical to capturing future economic growth.