Insiders at SoftBank Concerned CEO Is Being Misled by Sam Altman Tensions are rising inside SoftBank as key insiders grow increasingly worried that their CEO, Masayoshi Son, is being played by OpenAI’s Sam Altman. The electric buzz around artificial intelligence investments has made Son eager to double down on AI, but some high-level employees question whether Altman’s pitch is too good to be true. The concern centers on recent negotiations between SoftBank and OpenAI. Son has reportedly been in talks to pour billions into Altman’s company, following a pattern of aggressive bets on tech moonshots. However, internal sources say Altman’s ambitious promises about AI’s immediate profitability may not align with reality. One insider described the mood as jittery, with executives worried that Son’s fascination with Altman’s vision could lead to a costly misstep. Altman, known for his charismatic leadership at OpenAI, has been courting deep-pocketed investors like SoftBank. His recent push for massive funding rounds has raised eyebrows, especially after the chaotic governance battles at OpenAI last year. SoftBank’s own history of risky investments, like the billions lost on WeWork, makes employees especially sensitive to signs of overexuberance. The worry isn’t just about money. Some inside SoftBank feel Altman may be playing up OpenAI’s market dominance while downplaying real technical hurdles and competition from players like Google and Meta. Son’s reputation for following his gut, even when data suggests caution, adds to the anxiety. As one source put it, the CEO is known for falling in love with founders, and Altman knows exactly how to tap into that. For now, the deal remains in flux. But with SoftBank’s workforce on edge, the question is whether Son will listen to his internal team or double down on his bet on Altman. In the high-stakes world of AI investment, one thing is clear: the jitters aren’t going away anytime soon.
