Marketplace Tech Bytes: Week in Review – Wikipedia urges AI companies to pay for its data, again
Nov 14, 2025
Anita Ramaswamy, a technology columnist at The Information, dives into intriguing industry shifts. She discusses SoftBank's bold move of selling its Nvidia stake to funnel $5.8 billion into OpenAI, analyzing the implications for both companies. Anita also sheds light on Apple’s struggle with the delayed launch of the iPhone Air due to weak sales and production challenges. Additionally, she highlights Wikipedia's ongoing plea to AI companies, urging them to pay for data access rather than scraping it, raising critical questions about internet sustainability.
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SoftBank’s Circular AI Bet
- SoftBank sold its NVIDIA stake and redirected $5.8 billion to OpenAI as part of a promised $30 billion investment.
- Anita Ramaswamy notes this move is circular: SoftBank profits from OpenAI stake appreciation while funding OpenAI growth.
OpenAI Stake Drives SoftBank Profits
- SoftBank has already invested $7.5 billion into OpenAI and recorded large profits tied to its OpenAI stake appreciation.
- Anita Ramaswamy emphasizes SoftBank's profits are partly driven by the rising value of that OpenAI stake.
Son Sold Nvidia Early To Fund Startups
- Masayoshi Son built a significant NVIDIA stake starting in 2016 but sold much of it by 2019, missing major later gains.
- Anita Ramaswamy recalls he earlier sold shares to fund bets like Uber and WeWork, which had mixed outcomes.