SoftBank’s innovative CEO, Masayoshi Son, visited India again this week and met with some of the nation’s most well-known business leaders, entrepreneurs, and startup founders. Son promoted the revolutionary potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and reaffirmed his dedication to India’s developing tech sector in a packed itinerary.
Credits: ET Now
A Power-Packed Schedule with India’s Top Leaders
Son spoke with more than 20 Indian businesspeople when he was there, including representatives of SoftBank’s portfolio firms. In New Delhi, founders Gaurav Munjal (Unacademy), Peyush Bansal (Lenskart), Ritesh Agarwal (Oyo), Bhavish Aggarwal (Ola), and Vijay Shekhar Sharma (Paytm) attended a lunch meeting.
Son also spoke one-on-one with influential people like Albinder Dhindsa of Blinkit and Naveen Tewari of InMobi on the future of AI, consumer technology, and India’s potential as a global tech leader. His conversation with Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani suggested that the two heavyweights propelling India’s innovation and expansion might work together.
Focus on AI: India’s Moment to Shine
A major theme of Son’s visit was the transformative potential of AI. Known for his bold predictions, Son emphasized the need for Indian entrepreneurs to adopt an “exponential mindset” in AI development. He urged founders to think beyond short-term gains, advocating for 10-year strategies to build foundational technologies.
India, Son believes, has a unique opportunity to excel in chip design, especially in creating intellectual property tailored to its needs. “AI represents a gold rush for those who understand its immense potential,” Son reportedly stated during the meeting. His insights align with SoftBank’s global vision, as the firm has filed over 6,000 AI-related patents in recent years.
SoftBank’s Deep Roots in India’s Startup Ecosystem
With $15 billion invested in Indian startups, SoftBank has played a critical role in shaping the country’s innovation landscape. Nearly one-fifth of India’s 100+ unicorns have received funding from the Japanese investment giant. Companies like Ola Electric, Swiggy, and FirstCry are shining examples of SoftBank-backed successes, having achieved significant milestones, including public listings.
Son’s engagement with non-portfolio entrepreneurs during this visit suggests SoftBank is exploring fresh opportunities in India. Founders of emerging startups pitched ideas across AI, generative AI (GenAI), and consumer technology, hoping to secure a spot in SoftBank’s next wave of investments.
Vision for a Tech-Driven Future
Son’s remarks at the New Delhi meeting was full of optimism about India’s tech-driven future. He highlighted the country’s potential to dominate in both AI and energy, but he also noted that both fields require significant investments in infrastructure and research.
He also discussed AI’s potential to boost the world economy, estimating that it may contribute up to 5% of global GDP by 2035. To fulfill this promise, however, an estimated $9 trillion in capital investments in energy infrastructure and semiconductors are required.
Entrepreneurs Inspired by Masa’s Vision
Indian founders left the meeting inspired by Son’s forward-thinking approach. Bhavish Aggarwal, CEO of Ola, tweeted:
“Always amazing meeting @masason! Such an energising discussion on AI, AGI, Energy, and India. We will make the future here in India together.”
Similarly, Naveen Tewari of InMobi engaged in a focused dialogue with Son on scaling InMobi and Glance in global markets, further strengthening India’s position in consumer tech and AI.
Credits: Communications Today
A Gold Rush for AI and India’s Global Role
Son’s trip to India is in line with a larger pattern of international AI leaders realizing India’s potential. India’s talent pool, cost advantages, and entrepreneurial spirit make it a key player in the global AI boom.
Masayoshi Son’s inspirational leadership and SoftBank’s investment history have already helped a number of Indian businesses achieve international renown. His appeal for long-term plans and a “exponential mindset” offers a path forward for the upcoming generation of Indian businesspeople to spearhead the AI revolution.
Conclusion: India at the Crossroads of Innovation
India’s crucial position in the global tech and AI scene is highlighted by Masayoshi Son’s visit. His conversations with leading businesspeople and focus on long-term, AI-powered tactics demonstrate a common dedication to development and innovation.
India is poised to become a leader in AI, chip design, and disruptive technologies as long as SoftBank continues to support the country’s best ideas. The future appears to be spectacular under Son’s leadership and with India’s spirit of entrepreneurship.
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