Softbank's masayoshi son issues AI safety warning, calls for global cooperation

On October 5, 2026, Bloomberg reported that Masayoshi Son, founder of SoftBank, has issued a rare AI safety warning, urging global collaboration to address the risks posed by advanced artificial intelligence. During a forum in Kyoto, Son emphasized the urgent need for international trust to manage the rapid growth of AI capabilities. 'Humanity can no longer afford the cost of mutual distrust,' he stated, warning that the potential dangers of powerful AI models are greater than ever. Son, a long-time advocate for AI, highlighted the risks of superintelligent systems falling into the wrong hands. Son, who has invested nearly $65 billion in OpenAI, acknowledged recent security vulnerabilities and breaches linked to AI models. He stressed that AI's capabilities will continue to grow exponentially, with current technologies enabling chatbots to browse the web, write code, and use large-scale chips. He predicted that AI will enter a 'third stage' in 2027, allowing robots and smart devices to interact with the physical world. Son reiterated his long-term forecast that AI and self-learning machines will account for at least 20% of global GDP by 2040, equivalent to $46 trillion.