Will Humanoid Robots, Physical AI Shape Future Industries? Here's What SoftBank’s CEO Said

SoftBank Group CEO Masayoshi Son has stated that robotics and physical AI could evolve into trillion-dollar industries, significantly driving global economic growth. Speaking to CNBC, Son highlighted optimism for humanoid robots and industrial automation, positioning physical AI as a central element of future transformation. The remarks follow SoftBank’s announcement of a €75 billion (around $87 billion) investment in AI infrastructure in France. The project includes constructing 5 gigawatts of AI data-center capacity, marking one of the company’s largest AI commitments. Son compared the current AI boom to past technological revolutions, asserting its impact will surpass that of the internet era. He argued AI remains in its early stages, with potential to reshape industries for decades. While acknowledging market corrections, Son dismissed bubble fears, calling downturns opportunities for long-term investors. SoftBank has aggressively expanded in AI, including a potential $100 billion IPO for Roze AI, a venture focused on AI infrastructure and robotics. The company’s investments in Alibaba, OpenAI, and Arm have solidified its role as a major AI investor. Son referenced historical market crashes, such as the 1929 Wall Street collapse and the dot-com bubble, to emphasize that corrections often precede strong rebounds. He reiterated that AI-driven advances will continue shaping industries for 50 to 100 years.