Masayoshi Son Bets on Fusion for AI Power, SoftBank Doubles Down for Second Round

According to Dongcha Beating Monitoring, SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son predicts that by 2040, global data centers will require 3 terawatts of power.

In the short term, the majority of new electricity demand still relies on natural gas. Around 15 years from now, nuclear fusion may become a cheaper, cleaner, and safer alternative.

This is not just speculation. SoftBank Vision Fund II has continuously invested in the U.S. fusion energy company Helion, participating in its 2025 Series F and 2026 Series G funding rounds.

Helion's latest funding round of $465 million has brought its valuation to $15.5 billion. Fusion energy has not yet achieved commercialized power generation, and there remains significant uncertainty about whether it can scale up for large-scale power delivery on schedule.

In the face of skepticism about an AI bubble, Masayoshi Son has called it a "profoundly stupid question." He believes that the massive investments in data centers will ultimately pay off.