The core financial loop driving the largest AI agreements

This week, SoftBank and OpenAI revealed a new joint venture, split equally, to introduce business-focused AI solutions in Japan under the name “Crystal Intelligence.” While this appears to be a simple move to expand internationally, SoftBank’s significant investment in OpenAI has sparked debate about whether these major AI partnerships are generating genuine economic benefit or simply circulating funds within the same ecosystem.

On the Equity podcast from TechCrunch, hosts Kirsten Korosec, Anthony Ha, and AI editor Russell Brandom discuss the reasons behind the skepticism surrounding this partnership, what it suggests about the long-term viability of current AI investment strategies, and more.