AsianFin -- SoftBank’s plan to establish a joint venture with OpenAI aimed at providing artificial intelligence services to corporate clients in Japan is reportedly running behind schedule. A source familiar with the matter told reporters that the venture, initially slated to launch this summer, has faced delays, with a progress update now expected in November.
The source, who requested anonymity due to the confidential nature of the discussions, indicated that the preparations for SB OpenAI Japan are taking longer than anticipated. Despite the delays, SoftBank has maintained that work on the venture is ongoing.
SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son first announced the joint venture in February alongside OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. The venture is planned to be co-owned by OpenAI and a company formed by SoftBank and its domestic telecom unit. It is intended to bring OpenAI’s AI technologies, including tools like ChatGPT, to enterprise clients across Japan.
SoftBank has so far declined to provide further details, and OpenAI did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The delay underscores the challenges companies face in rapidly deploying AI services in corporate environments, particularly in markets with complex regulatory and business frameworks like Japan.
SB OpenAI Japan is expected to serve as a bridge for Japanese enterprises to integrate AI into operations, customer service, and decision-making processes. Once operational, the joint venture could significantly expand AI adoption among Japanese businesses and strengthen the local AI ecosystem.
While the timeline has shifted, industry observers expect the collaboration to retain strong strategic importance for both SoftBank and OpenAI, given Japan’s growing interest in AI-driven productivity solutions and SoftBank’s longstanding investments in emerging technologies.
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