Masayoshi Son, the founder and CEO of SoftBank, has posited that artificial superintelligence (ASI) could emerge within the next decade. During SoftBank’s annual meeting in Tokyo on June 21, Son described a transformative future where AI significantly outshines human intelligence. He forecasts that by 2030, AI could be “one to 10 times smarter than humans,” and by 2035, it might reach an astonishing level of “10,000 times smarter.”
Son underscored the difference between artificial general intelligence (AGI) and ASI in his remarks. AGI, as defined by Son, would equate to a human ‘genius,’ potentially up to ten times more capable than an average individual. In contrast, ASI would operate on an entirely different level, showcasing abilities far beyond human potential.
This vision of the future aligns with the aspirations of Safe Superintelligence Inc. (SSI), a startup established by former OpenAI chief scientist Ilya Sutskever and his team. SSI aims to balance the pursuit of AI capabilities with safety, addressing both as technical challenges needing revolutionary breakthroughs. The growing focus on superintelligent AI highlighted by SoftBank’s ambitions and SSI’s mission indicates a pivotal shift in the tech industry.
SSI explicitly emphasizes that safety must advance in tandem with capabilities, reflecting a cautious approach to this powerful technology. Despite the enthusiasm, the scientific community has yet to reach a consensus regarding AGI and ASI’s feasibility or capabilities. Current AI systems excel in specific tasks but lack human-level reasoning across various domains.
Son’s personal reflection on ASI reveals a deeper connection to his life’s purpose. He stated, “It may sound strange, but I think I was born to realise ASI. I am super serious about it.” His vision, coupled with SoftBank’s strategic direction and the establishment of SSI, raises critical questions about the implications of superintelligent AI.
While promising, the prospect also brings significant concerns regarding job displacement, ethical issues, and the risks of creating an intelligence far beyond our own capabilities. Whether Son’s predictions will prove accurate remains uncertain, but the race toward superintelligent AI is clearly intensifying, positioning key players at the forefront of this evolving landscape.