The intriguing world of Artificial Super Intelligence (ASI) has captured the attention of many prominent figures, including Masayoshi Son, Sam Altman, and Larry Ellison. As we step into a new chapter of the polycrisis, it’s essential to explore whether these tech titans genuinely believe that ASI is just around the corner and what drives their fervent ambitions.
Do They Really Believe in ASI?
A quote from Shanaka Anslem Perera’s Substack sparked my curiosity about the questionable beliefs propelling the multi-trillion dollar quest for Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) and Artificial Super Intelligence (ASI):
“Either the gods are being built in the Texas desert, or the greatest financial delusion in human history is unfolding in real time while sophisticated observers debate quarterly earnings.”
While we strive to comprehend the complexities of our world through reason and observation, the challenge escalates when we acknowledge that many influential figures are driven by ideologies and apocalyptic beliefs that, at best, may be supra-rational and, at worst, wholly irrational.
World’s Dumbest Money Believes
Consider Perera’s insights regarding Masayoshi Son’s beliefs, articulated during a SoftBank Annual General Meeting:
“In the June 2024 transcript, buried amid discussions of dividends and shareholding, Masayoshi Son transcended his role as merely a businessman. He asked the assembled shareholders, ‘For what purpose was SoftBank founded? For what purpose was Masa Son born?’ His answer, delivered with the weight of decades of ambition, was striking: ‘I think I was born to realize ASI. I am super serious about it.’”
The response from the audience was muted, with the financial press glossing over his declaration in favor of more traditional metrics like earnings estimates. Many analysts dismissed his claim as yet another over-the-top statement from a man whose investments have faced significant scrutiny over the years.
Reflecting on Son’s strategy, former SoftBank executive Alok Sama remarked:
“In the mid-nineties, Masa foresaw the internet revolution. He once owned 8 percent of all internet stocks at the peak of the 2000 tech bubble, making him the richest person in the world for a time. Son has made bold moves, such as acquiring a struggling phone company based on a vision of connected smartphones before the iPhone came to fruition. His gamble on Alibaba yielded astronomical returns, demonstrating that his unconventional approach can lead to spectacular successes.”
Sama further elaborated on Son’s ASI convictions:
“Ten years before ChatGPT debuted, Masa was fixated on AI and the singularity. While Musk pursued a neural interface with machines, Son believed in creating companion robots with genuine emotional intelligence. Unlike Musk, who focuses on escaping to Mars, Masa remains fervently hopeful about the potential of benevolent AI.”
Son is investing heavily in this vision.
SoftBank Fulfills $40 Billion OpenAI Pledge
In a significant move in March, Son’s SoftBank announced a $40 billion investment in OpenAI, set at a $300 billion valuation. Despite some skepticism from critics, SoftBank finalized this deal.
“SoftBank has fulfilled its $40 billion investment commitment to OpenAI. The conglomerate’s involvement includes an additional $22 billion sent last week, culminating in a total of $41 billion. SoftBank’s stake in the company now stands at approximately 11%.”
The same report reveals that SoftBank had to sell off various investments to facilitate this funding:
“Recently, SoftBank liquidated its entire $5.8 billion stake in NVIDIA, indicating a strategic pivot in its investment priorities.”
Sam Altman: The Artificial Super Intelligence Messiah
This major investment ties into the vision espoused by OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman, who recently stated:
“I foresee the rapid progression of AI capabilities, especially after the launch of ChatGPT. In just a few years, I believe we will witness AI making scientific discoveries that humans won’t be able to replicate. By 2030, if we don’t have extraordinarily capable models, I would be very surprised.”
In this fervent declaration lies a sense of near-religious conviction regarding the future of AI.
This raises eyebrows, especially given Altman’s association with figures like Elon Musk, who has been known to express skepticism about the unregulated development of AI.
Is Stargate Building God in the Texas Desert?
In January 2025, President Trump held a press conference to unveil an ambitious AI infrastructure project. OpenAI’s Altman, SoftBank’s Son, and Oracle’s Larry Ellison stood by him, supporting a commitment of $100 billion to initiate the venture:
“Stargate aims to develop the next generation of AI infrastructure, including extensive data centers across the nation,” Trump declared.
Ellison announced that a significant project was already underway, boasting of efforts to create a data center spanning one million square feet in Texas.
However, as the year unfolded, the project faced significant setbacks. Reports in The Wall Street Journal highlighted that plans had been drastically scaled back:
“The ambitious $500 billion plan struggled to gain traction, with no data center completed six months after the announcement. Internal disputes between SoftBank and OpenAI have further hampered progress, diminishing initial plans.”
Interestingly, Altman’s branding of the “Stargate” initiative draws inspiration from a cult classic film, leading to questions about its genuine connection with the original vision.
Larry Ellison’s Big Plans
Amidst discussions, insights into Ellison’s motivations shed light on the underlying objectives:
“Ellison is deeply invested in the fight against cancer, yet skeptics argue that the pursuit of a cure is innately tied to a multi-trillion dollar industry.”
Ellison’s involvement with companies like Imagene AI, focused on genomic data analysis, raises questions about the ethical implications of data handling within the medical sector.
In conclusion, as we navigate the complexities of AI’s future, the beliefs and ideologies of its leading figures play a pivotal role in shaping our technological landscape. While optimism about ASI pushes them forward, it warrants careful scrutiny and reflection on the broader implications of their pursuits.
