Masayoshi Son Says Selling Nvidia Shares Made Him Cry, but SoftBank Needed the Cash for AI
SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son has long been known for making bold, risky moves in technology. But even he admits that one of his latest decisions was unusually painful. During a recent event in Tokyo, Son revealed that selling SoftBank’s entire stake in Nvidia was an emotional moment for him. He described the sale as something he did not want to do, saying he was effectively forced into it to support the company’s next big wave of artificial intelligence investments.
The sale, worth nearly six billion dollars, stunned many industry watchers when SoftBank disclosed it in November. Nvidia has become the most sought-after chipmaker in the world, powering the AI boom and climbing to one of the highest valuations in stock market history. Giving up shares in such a company seemed unthinkable, yet Son insists it was the only way for SoftBank to aggressively pursue its next major vision.
Why SoftBank Sold Its Entire Nvidia Stake
Son says the move was never part of the plan
During the FII Priority Asia forum, Son explained that SoftBank didn’t sell its Nvidia stake because it lost faith in the company. In fact, he praised Nvidia as a crown jewel of the AI hardware world and made clear he personally wanted to keep holding the shares.
“I don’t want to sell a single share,” he said, adding that the only reason the sale happened was because SoftBank needed the cash to fund other high-priority AI investments.
Funding new AI projects required massive capital
According to Son, SoftBank has entered a new phase in its long-running pursuit of artificial intelligence. The company wants to be at the center of what he describes as the coming era of super AI. To do that, SoftBank needs billions of dollars to move quickly, and the Nvidia sale became the most practical way to raise those funds.
The capital is being directed toward two major areas:
- A significant investment in OpenAI
- Large-scale data center projects strategically aimed at supporting next-generation AI systems
This shift reflects SoftBank’s desire not just to invest in AI companies, but to build and own core infrastructure for the future.
SoftBank’s Growing AI Ambitions
A flurry of new projects in 2024 and 2025
This year, SoftBank has rapidly accelerated its AI strategy. The company has announced and launched multiple initiatives tied to advanced computing, AI-powered telecom innovations, and large data center construction. Son has also spent months publicly promoting his vision for super AI, which he believes will surpass today’s systems in both capability and economic impact.
SoftBank appears to be positioning itself as a foundational player in the AI revolution, not just a passive investor. By developing data centers and exploring its own AI models and infrastructure, the conglomerate is setting the stage for long-term influence across the industry.
Why Son isn’t worried about an AI bubble
While many economists and investors have warned that AI valuations may be overheated, Son pushed back strongly against that view. He dismissed fears of an AI bubble and said the technology will ultimately reshape the global economy in ways the market has not yet fully priced in.
Son predicts that super AI could eventually add at least ten percent to global GDP, calling AI the most transformative technological shift in human history. In his view, the current surge in AI investment is not a bubble but a necessary build-out phase before the deepest gains are realized.
A Painful Sale That Son Believes Will Pay Off
Nvidia was one of SoftBank’s most valuable investments
SoftBank’s history with Nvidia goes back several years. At one point, the company’s stake in Nvidia was one of its strongest performing investments. Watching Nvidia’s rise has been a source of pride for Son, making the decision to sell even more emotionally difficult.
Selling the shares in late 2024 meant missing out on the possibility of further appreciation, especially as Nvidia continues to dominate the global AI chip market. Son openly acknowledged this emotional challenge, saying he was crying as the sale went through.
But SoftBank believes the next wave of AI is even bigger
Despite the emotional cost, Son argues that SoftBank’s new AI ambitions may yield far greater returns. By reallocating capital from Nvidia into what Son sees as the next frontier of AI, SoftBank aims to position itself ahead of the next technological shift rather than riding the current one.
This strategic shift resembles many of Son’s past decisions, where he has prioritized long-term vision over short-term gains. Whether this move will pay off remains to be seen, but SoftBank’s recent announcements suggest that the company is all-in on driving the future of global AI infrastructure.
The Bigger Picture: SoftBank’s Pursuit of Super AI
Son’s long-term vision drives the company’s boldest moves
Masayoshi Son has always seen himself as a tech futurist. Over the years, he has made numerous high-stakes decisions with the belief that certain technologies will fundamentally change the world. Sometimes these bets have paid off spectacularly, and sometimes they have led to costly setbacks. But in Son’s view, AI is the defining technology of the century, and the window to lead in this field is closing fast.
For that reason, he argues that SoftBank must make aggressive moves now. The Nvidia sale, however painful, was part of that long-term philosophy.
Betting that the foundation of the AI era will be even more valuable
SoftBank wants to play a foundational role in AI, not just benefit from peripheral growth. Investing in OpenAI and building powerful data centers suggests a strategy built around owning key infrastructure rather than just owning a share of the companies that rely on it.
If Son’s predictions come true and super AI transforms the global economy, SoftBank wants to be one of the companies that helped build the backbone of that future.
Masayoshi Son’s revelation that he cried while selling SoftBank’s Nvidia shares offers a rare look at the emotional side of high-stakes investing. The sale surprised many, given Nvidia’s meteoric rise and central role in AI development. But for Son, the decision was not about abandoning a winning investment. It was about leveling up for the next stage in the AI revolution.
SoftBank is now betting its future on massive AI investments, larger data center infrastructure, and close partnerships with leading AI developers. Son remains confident that super AI will reshape global economics, and he wants SoftBank to be at the center of it.
Whether the Nvidia sale proves to be a brilliant strategic pivot or a missed opportunity will unfold in the coming years. But one thing is clear: SoftBank’s commitment to AI is stronger than ever, no matter how emotionally difficult the journey becomes.
I am Aparna Sahu
Investment Specialist and Financial Writer
With 2 years of experience in the financial sector, Aparna brings a wealth of knowledge and insight to Investor Welcome. As an accomplished author and investment specialist, Aparna has a passion for demystifying complex financial concepts and empowering investors with actionable strategies. She has been featured in relevant publications, if any, and is dedicated to providing clear, evidence-based analysis that helps clients make informed investment decisions. Aparna holds a relevant degree or certification and is committed to staying ahead of market trends to deliver the most up-to-date advice.