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Masayoshi Son’s Bold Vision: SoftBank at the Forefront of an AI Revolution

by THEFUTURE.TEAM
August 11, 2025


Vision And Strategy: Embracing Artificial Superintelligence

Masayoshi Son is betting big on a future defined by artificial superintelligence (ASI), a technology he envisions to be 10,000 times smarter than humans within the next decade. This audacious forecast, though bold, is consistent with Son’s established history of making transformative, high-stakes investments—most notably his early $20 million stake in Alibaba which has since generated substantial returns for SoftBank.

Transformative Investments And Strategic Acquisitions

SoftBank’s aggressive push into the AI domain is evident in its high-profile transactions. The acquisition of Arm in 2016 for approximately $32 billion, now valued at more than $145 billion, underscores the company’s ambition to be a pivotal player in AI-driven infrastructure. More recently, SoftBank announced plans to acquire Ampere Computing for $6.5 billion and has committed significant capital to OpenAI—a move that signals its determination to weave AI deeply into its corporate fabric.

Historical Boldness And The Art Of Timing

Son’s trajectory is defined by visionary risks, as seen in his early musings on ‘brain computers’ and robotics. Even though some ventures, such as the Pepper humanoid robot, did not meet expectations, these experiments laid the groundwork for a broader, long-term strategy. The early adoption of key technologies, despite occasional missteps, highlights SoftBank’s willingness to invest deeply for future payoff—even if market timing has sometimes proved challenging.

Balancing Risks With Reward In A Rapidly Evolving Landscape

Competition in AI is heating up globally, with major tech companies in the U.S. and China jockeying for position in the race towards artificial general intelligence (AGI). While the sector is inherently high-risk due to continuous technological evolutions and unexpected breakthroughs by rivals, SoftBank remains confident in its comprehensive, end-to-end strategy. Its portfolio, spanning semiconductors, software, robotics, and cloud services, is engineered to be resilient in the face of industry disruptions.

A Vision For The Future: Building A Legacy For Centuries

Son’s enduring ambition is nothing short of revolutionary; he envisions an AI-integrated future that will secure SoftBank’s relevance for the next 300 years. This long-term perspective, marked by significant investments and a readiness to make mistakes along the way, continues to fuel the company’s transformation into a cornerstone of the emerging AI ecosystem.


EU E-Commerce VAT Systems Generate €257.9 Million Revenue for Cyprus in 2024

by THEFUTURE.TEAM
August 11, 2025

Robust Revenue Growth Through Streamlined VAT Collection

Cyprus has demonstrated a significant fiscal boost in 2024 with €257.9 million generated from the European Union’s e-commerce VAT systems, according to Tax Commissioner Sotiris Markides. This impressive performance underscores the effectiveness of the One Stop Shop (OSS) and Import One Stop Shop (IOSS) frameworks in simplifying cross-border tax compliance.

Simplified Procedures for EU and Non-EU Businesses

The OSS system allows Cyprus-registered businesses to streamline VAT declaration and payment on sales to consumers in other EU countries. Companies simply register on the local OSS platform, apply the consumer’s VAT rate, aggregate their submissions quarterly or monthly, and remit a single consolidated payment. Subsequently, Cyprus allocates the appropriate share to each respective EU country. This efficient process extends to non-EU sellers as well, who can have their intra-EU distance sales managed under the Union Scheme.

Breakdown of VAT Revenue Streams

Last year’s declarations under the various schemes illustrate the system’s broad reach: €217.9 million was collected via the Union Scheme, €36.9 million through the Non-Union Scheme, and €3.1 million via the Import Scheme. While the Union Scheme caters to both EU and non-EU sellers engaging in distance sales, the Non-Union Scheme specifically accommodates non-EU firms delivering services to EU consumers. Furthermore, the Import Scheme targets goods valued at less than €150 that are imported from outside the EU.

Implications and Broader Impact

Implemented in July 2021 as an evolution from the more limited MOSS system, these reforms have not only consolidated tax collection through an expansive OSS but also integrated the IOSS for low-value imports. By designating certain online marketplaces as “deemed suppliers,” the new framework ensures that VAT collection is both efficient and equitable. Across the EU, these mechanisms have generated over €33 billion in VAT revenues in 2024, reflecting a successful effort to simplify tax compliance, reduce administrative burdens, and promote fair taxation across the bloc.

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