SoftBank Vision Fund Cuts 20% of Workforce to Focus on AI

September 23, 2025
SoftBank Vision Fund is laying off 20% of its staff as it shifts focus to AI investments, according to Reuters. The move aligns with CEO Masayoshi Son's strategy to prioritize AI projects.
SoftBank Vision Fund Cuts 20% of Workforce to Focus on AI
Image: MIKI Yoshihito

SoftBank Group Corp. is set to lay off nearly 20% of its Vision Fund employees globally as it reallocates resources towards AI investments, according to Reuters. This marks the third round of layoffs since 2022 for the fund, which currently employs over 300 people worldwide.

The decision aligns with CEO Masayoshi Son's strategy to focus on high-risk, high-reward AI projects. Recent investments include $9.7 billion in OpenAI, as well as significant stakes in chipmakers and tech companies like Intel and Nvidia. These moves are part of a broader effort to build AI infrastructure, including chips, data centers, and models.

The layoffs reflect a strategic pivot as SoftBank aims to excel in the competitive AI landscape. The Vision Fund's workforce has already shrunk by 40% from its peak in 2020, highlighting its reduced role as the company intensifies its AI focus.

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