SoftBank Group Corp. and OpenAI’s highly anticipated joint venture to deliver artificial intelligence (AI) services to corporate clients in Japan has encountered significant delays, according to an insider familiar with the matter. Initially slated for launch this summer, the venture, named SB OpenAI Japan, is now expected to provide an update on its progress in November. The source, who requested anonymity due to the confidential nature of the details, cited prolonged preparations as the primary cause for the setback. SoftBank confirmed that preparations are ongoing but refrained from commenting further, while OpenAI has yet to respond to inquiries. The venture was announced in February by SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, with ownership shared between OpenAI and a newly established SoftBank entity. At a June shareholder meeting, Junichi Miyakawa, CEO of SoftBank’s telecom unit, had targeted the end of July for the venture’s launch, though specific product offerings remain under discussion. This initiative marks a resurgence in Son’s bold investment strategy, following a period of retrenchment due to underperforming tech investments. Meanwhile, SoftBank’s $500 billion Stargate project, aimed at developing data centers in the U.S., has also faced delays due to protracted negotiations and location-related decisions, as disclosed by CFO Yoshimitsu Goto last month.