SoftBank Secures $40B Loan to Expand OpenAI Investments

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SoftBank Group has secured a $40 billion bridge loan to strengthen its investments in OpenAI and support broader corporate initiatives.

The unsecured loan, which matures in March 2027, was arranged with major financial institutions including JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs and leading Japanese banks. The funding reflects SoftBank’s continued push into artificial intelligence as global competition intensifies.

The company, led by Masayoshi Son, has already committed significant capital to OpenAI through its Vision Fund and is deepening its involvement in AI infrastructure and development.

OpenAI, supported by Microsoft, has become a central player in the AI boom, driving large-scale investments across the industry. SoftBank has also been involved in major initiatives such as the Stargate Project, aimed at building AI infrastructure in the United States.

The new financing highlights SoftBank’s increasingly aggressive strategy in artificial intelligence after years of mixed performance from its investment portfolio.

Oppo K15 Pro+ and Oppo K15 Pro Launched With Active Cooling Fan, Up to 8,000mAh Battery: Price, Features

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Oppo K15 Pro+ was launched in China on Wednesday alongside the Oppo K15 Pro and Oppo Watch X3. The two new gaming-focused phones, the first offerings in the new K15 series, are equipped with the company’s next-generation active cooling fans for thermal management. The Oppo K15 Pro series also features a dual rear camera unit, headlined by a 50-megapixel main shooter. Both phones will be available for purchase in the country via the Oppo China online store. While the Oppo K15 Pro+ ships in three colour options, the Oppo K15 Pro is offered in four colourways. The Oppo K15 Pro+ is also powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 9000 series chipset.

Oppo K15 Pro Series Price, Availability

Oppo K15 Pro+ price starts at CNY 3,499 (about Rs. 47,000) and CNY 3,699 (roughly Rs. 50,000) for the “Basic” and “Standard” (translated from Chinese) variants with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage, respectively. Meanwhile, the top-of-the-line 12GB+512GB RAM and storage configuration costs CNY 4,199 (about Rs. 57,000).

On the other hand, the Oppo K15 Pro is priced at CNY 2,999 (roughly Rs. 41,000) and CNY 3,199 (about Rs. 43,000) for the “Basic” and “Standard” versions with the same configuration as the Pro+ model. Lastly, the top-end 12GB+512GB variant is priced at CNY 3,499 (roughly Rs. 47,000).

The new phones will go on sale in China on April 3 at 10:00 am local time (7:30 am IST) via the Oppo online store. The Oppo K15 Pro+ is offered in Cyber Wings, Origin Gray, and Photodust (translated from Chinese colourways, while the Oppo K15 Pro ships in Cyber Wing, Golden Legend, Origin Gray, and Radiant Dust shades.

 

SLB Expands Nvidia Partnership for AI Energy Infrastructure

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SLB has expanded its partnership with Nvidia to develop artificial intelligence infrastructure and specialized models for the energy sector.

The collaboration builds on a long-standing relationship between the two companies and reflects increasing demand for AI-driven solutions across the energy industry. Companies are seeking to process vast amounts of geological, production and infrastructure data more efficiently to reduce costs, improve reliability and lower emissions.

Under the new agreement, SLB will serve as a design partner for modular AI data centers built on Nvidia technology. The partnership will also focus on creating an “AI Factory for Energy,” a platform designed to help energy producers and power companies convert complex operational data into actionable insights.

The move comes as oilfield service providers look to diversify their business models amid slowing drilling activity, shifting toward digital services and infrastructure linked to AI growth.

The expanded partnership highlights how artificial intelligence is becoming a central tool in transforming traditional industries, including energy, by improving efficiency and enabling more data-driven decision-making.