SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son has made a bold prediction about the future of artificial intelligence, stating that artificial general intelligence (AGI) will arrive "much earlier" than he previously thought. This announcement comes as SoftBank partners with OpenAI on a new AI system called "Cristal intelligence" and invests $3 billion in deploying OpenAI technology across its companies.

Son's revised prediction is a significant shift from his previous estimate of two to three years for the arrival of AGI. This change in timeline may be influenced by the evolving definition of AGI, as recently explained by OpenAI's Sam Altman. The partnership between SoftBank and OpenAI, which includes a 50-50 joint venture called "SB OpenAI Japan," will focus on marketing Cristal intelligence exclusively to major companies in Japan.

The Cristal intelligence system is designed to automate everyday tasks for knowledge work, with SoftBank highlighting its potential to "drive innovation and boost productivity" across its companies. Arm, a SoftBank-owned company that designs chips and servers used by AI companies, plans to utilize Cristal intelligence to "drive innovation and boost productivity across the company." SoftBank Corp., another SoftBank-owned company, aims to "automate over 100 million workflows" to "boost efficiency and enable the creation of new business opportunities within its ecosystem."

Son's announcement, made at an event in Tokyo where he held a crystal ball, underscores SoftBank's commitment to investing in AI infrastructure and technology. The company is also part of a group investing $500 billion in Project Stargate to build American AI infrastructure capacity for OpenAI. This investment is expected to have significant implications for the development and deployment of AI technology globally.

The partnership between SoftBank and OpenAI, as well as Son's revised prediction for the arrival of AGI, highlights the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence. As AI technology continues to advance, it is likely to have a profound impact on various industries and aspects of our lives. The development of Cristal intelligence and other AI systems will be closely watched, as they have the potential to revolutionize business operations and transform the way we work.

In conclusion, SoftBank's partnership with OpenAI and the unveiling of Cristal intelligence mark a significant milestone in the development of AI technology. Son's revised prediction for the arrival of AGI underscores the rapid progress being made in this field and the potential for AI to transform industries and societies in the near future.