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The son of Softbank founder Masayoshi is driving the idea for a huge $10 artificial intelligence and robotics complex in Arizona, USA.
The plan that her son raised with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick is aimed at introducing highly technological manufacturing into the country, said three people who were first familiar with the concept Bloomberg reported.
According to the same people, SoftBank officials are also talking with local and federal government politicians to secure tax credits.
People warned that the final scale of a project, if approved, may vary significantly depending on the level of interest of the technology group.
SoftBank and TSMC declined to comment. Lutnick did not respond to requests for comment.
The Arizona concept is the latest, large and creative plan promoted by the Softbank Chief. He has already pledged $500 million to the Stargate project and is expanding US data centers and artificial intelligence infrastructure with Openai, Oracle and Abu Dhabi’s MGX.
Stargate’s funding comes from Project Finance. This is a model that could be repeated if his latest venture is realized.
His son has staked his reputation in AI and has built a network of capital interests with many small and medium-sized businesses through partnerships with companies such as Nvidia and Openai and a web of capital stocks, as well as the investment vehicle of the group’s vision fund. He wants to use many of these in his new projects.
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Softbank’s chief is also still nearby President Donald Trump. He is one of the first foreign visitors to Mar-a-Lago, the president’s Florida home following his re-election, spending a ton of time in the United States.
Those familiar with the issue said that TSMC has not formally approached the plan.
Taiwanese chipmakers have planned a massive US investment plan and are beginning mass production of advanced chips in Arizona this year.
Another said his son came up with the idea of free trade zones in various states in the US to encourage investment from countries such as Taiwan.
His son also proposes various iterations of US co-investment instruments to play large-scale plays in US high-tech and infrastructure.
