SoftBank will invest 150 billion yen to bolster its computing facilities by 2025 in preparation for development of its own generative AI.
In addition to working on a less advanced model, the company will start developing a world-class generative intelligence model as early as next year.is looking to develop a "world-class" Japanese-language-specific generative artificial intelligence model, and plans to invest $960 million in the next two years to bolster its computing facilities, according to a
Training of large language models , such as OpenAI's Chat GPT, requires advanced graphics processing units, which SoftBank plans to purchase from U.S. chip giantThe investment of 150 billion yen will be spent in 2024 and 2025 and adds to 20 billion yen that SoftBank spent on computing infrastructure last year, the report said.
The latest investment is believed to be the largest of its kind by any Japanese company, and when completed, will likely give SoftBank the most powerful computing capabilities in the country, Nikkei added.SoftBank's reported investments could change this and give Japan a strong domestic player in its generative AI space at a time when international players are trying to enter the market.