SoftBank’s Son Goes on a New Borrowing Binge to Fund AI

The tech investor is in talks to borrow $16 billion, with potentially more to come

Masayoshi Son. Photo by Getty; art by Mike Sullivan

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The biggest risk-taker in tech investing is back to his old playbook, loading up on debt to fund his latest obsession: artificial intelligence.

SoftBank Group CEO Masayoshi Son is planning to borrow $16 billion to invest in AI, his company’s executives told banks last week, according to a person with direct knowledge of the discussions. The talks haven’t been previously reported. The company might borrow another $8 billion in early 2026, the executives also told bankers.