As the debate around the unchecked development of artificial intelligence continues among top business leaders, the CEO of SoftBank, a prominent Japanese investment company, has made a bold prediction for its future.
Speaking at the bank’s general meeting on Friday in a rare public appearance, CEO Masayoshi Son shared his vision of creating a world powered by artificial superintelligence, or ASI.
Related: Most Employees Haven’t Used AI, Don’t Trust the Tech: Report
“SoftBank Group has laid the groundwork for my grand vision of realizing artificial superintelligence,” Son told shareholders of the Japanese company, as reported by Reuters.
He also mentioned the concept of AGI, or artificial general intelligence, surpassing human intelligence within the next three to five years, with ASI technology potentially becoming 10,000 times smarter than the human brain in the next decade, according to CNBC.
Son’s visionary outlook did not outline a specific strategy for SoftBank’s entry into ASI development. However, he indicated the company’s focus on creating AI-equipped robots for diverse sectors, stressing the need for significant financial investment to achieve this goal.
Despite concerns raised by various billionaires and business leaders like Elon Musk and Richard Branson, who have called for AI regulation, Son remains optimistically enthusiastic about the potential benefits of AI advancements.
Related: 3 Things to Look for to Determine If AI Is Being Used Ethically
“I’m more excited than worried about AI,” Branson expressed to Entrepreneur. “I think it’s going to transform people’s healthcare, operations, and many other aspects of life.”
SoftBank’s stock price saw a nearly 27% increase year over year on Friday afternoon.