SoftBank is in talks to invest $15 billion to $25 billion in OpenAI, potentially deepening the relationship between the two companies that are already planning a significant artificial-intelligence infrastructure initiative. Some of that equity investment could be used for OpenAI’s commitment to Stargate, a joint venture with SoftBank and others it announced last week at the White House, according to a person familiar with the matter. Stargate, which also includes Oracle and the United Arab Emirates investment fund MGX, intends to invest as much as $500 billion in AI data centers for use by OpenAI over the next four years. The deal would make SoftBank OpenAI’s biggest investor, displacing Microsoft, which has committed nearly $14 billion to date. However, SoftBank would have a smaller stake in OpenAI’s for-profit division, as Microsoft invested earlier, the person familiar with the matter said. SoftBank’s investment in OpenAI would be distinct from its own commitment to put some $15 billion into Stargate, according to the knowledgeable person.

Full news : SoftBank is in talks to invest $15 billion to $25 billion in OpenAI on top of its $15 billion plus commitment to Stargate; the deal would make SoftBank OpenAI’s biggest backer.