SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son has made a big statement about the future of artificial intelligence. He is confident that the development and implementation of AI will cost 5 trillion dollars annually. These massive costs will continue until 2040. At the same time, the entrepreneur categorically denies the existence of an AI bubble. He considers such conversations absurd and a misunderstanding of the essence of technology. According to his logic, if AI provides 20% of global GDP by 2040, then such costs will become a simple statistical error. Son has long been an ardent advocate of generative models and chatbots. His company has already invested heavily in OpenAI and other technology startups. Moreover, he predicts the emergence of real general artificial intelligence by 2030.

The conglomerate's history is full of both resounding victories and painful mistakes. SoftBank noticed the potential of China's Alibaba in time and helped bring the iPhone to the Japanese market. However, there were also costly failures, as in the case of the bankrupt WeWork. Many analysts are now comparing the current AI boom to the dotcom crisis. Some company executives have already acknowledged the existence of a bubble in private conversations. Nevertheless, they continue to invest out of fear of missing out on a historic opportunity. According to Deutsche Bank estimates, it is this sector that has so far kept the US economy from recession. However, reality is already beginning to test enthusiasm for strength. High development bills and delays in the construction of data centers in the United States pose serious risks. Despite all the external challenges, the head of SoftBank remains absolutely calm. He predicts that by 2040, AI data centers will need 3 terawatts of energy. This is almost twice the current total energy consumption of the entire planet.

To meet this demand, gas will be used first. In the long run, Sleep relies on thermonuclear fusion. He considers it a more practical and clean solution compared to space-based solar energy. According to the billionaire, AI agents will rule the world in the next decade and a half. Their number can reach a fantastic 100 trillion units. We will move from the human-centered world to the age of agents. The dream is sure that the era of humans as the highest form of life on Earth is coming to an end. It is simply impossible to stop this global process.