Softbank Group Corp founder Masayoshi Son has declared that fusion energy will, in the not-too-distant future, become the most practical solution for meeting the soaring power demands of artificial intelligence data centers.

Fusion has long captured the imagination of scientists, who aim to harness the same process that powers stars to produce cheap, abundant, and carbon-free electricity. Theoretically, fusion can generate vast amounts of energy with low carbon emissions, producing far less long-lived radioactive waste than conventional nuclear fission and posing no risk of a runaway chain reaction.

Despite decades of research, the technology remains in its early stages. This has not deterred some of the world's wealthiest investors from backing startups striving to solve this scientific challenge. Simultaneously, as tech companies globally search for new, round-the-clock power sources for future data centers, fusion is attracting increased attention.

For instance, in 2023, Microsoft signed the world's first commercial fusion power purchase agreement with Helion Energy. This startup, backed by OpenAI founder Sam Altman, plans to begin delivering fusion power by 2028. Google has made multiple investments in the fusion sector, including in German startup Proxima Fusion and U.S.-based TAE Technologies.

Masayoshi Son stated that for now, natural gas will continue to meet the bulk of data centers' power needs. However, he predicted fusion will play a major role in future energy supply and projected that global data center capacity demand will reach 3 terawatts by 2040.

Speaking at the annual SoftBank World event in Tokyo on Tuesday, Son declared, "Fusion will become the main source of a new, cheaper, cleaner, and safer energy on Earth." He added, "Is it really appropriate to continue relying heavily on natural gas for power generation? I think in another 15 years, fusion will take its place."

Son is no stranger to bold predictions. From proclaiming the imminent arrival of human-like artificial general intelligence (AGI) to outlining his vision of "curing human sadness," he is known for ambitious forecasts. However, significant technical and financial hurdles remain before fusion can become a viable energy source.

Investment flowing into fusion companies has surged in recent years, with several firms progressing from basic research to building prototypes. According to a report released Monday, fusion developers have raised a cumulative $14.2 billion since the Fusion Industry Association began tracking data in 2021.

Global investment in fusion soared by 69% over the past year to a record $4.5 billion, reflecting growing confidence that this emerging industry can build and connect commercial fusion power plants to the grid.

Concurrently, the U.S. Department of Energy has set a goal to advance fusion technology to a stage of commercial-scale viability by the mid-2030s. The global fusion sector marked a new milestone on Monday.

Canadian fusion technology company General Fusion went public on the Nasdaq on Monday after completing a merger with SPAC Spring Valley Acquisition Corp III. Its shares closed up 20.61% on the first day, highlighting strong investor interest in the world's first listed fusion company.

Despite its immense promise, the technology is extraordinarily complex. It is hailed as a potential source of nearly limitless clean electricity, yet to date, only a few nations have achieved breakthroughs in the underlying science.

In contrast, natural gas is currently abundant, supplying over one-fifth of the world's electricity. Although burning natural gas produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions than oil or coal, the process still releases carbon emissions that contribute to global warming.