SoftBank Lenders Ask More Banks to Join $40 Billion OpenAI Loan

SoftBank is expanding its $40 billion loan syndicate to fund its investment in OpenAI, inviting additional banks to participate in what would be one of the largest AI-focused debt deals. The move tests creditor confidence in SoftBank’s aggressive debt-driven strategy to dominate AI, following its recent high-profile tech investments. OpenAI, the US-based AI leader, stands as the primary beneficiary, with SoftBank positioning itself as a key financial backer amid intensifying global AI competition. The loan’s scale—unprecedented for AI ventures—signals growing institutional appetite for high-stakes bets on generative AI and quantum-adjacent technologies. Success hinges on lenders’ willingness to back SoftBank’s vision, despite its history of volatile bets, as AI’s economic potential outweighs risks for many financial players.