SoftBank Group Corp. unveiled the Garan AI prototype on July 22, 2026. This information infrastructure platform processes newspaper articles to train generative AI models. The initiative aims to enhance the accuracy and reliability of AI outputs.
SoftBank is collaborating with major national and regional Japanese media outlets for data supply. Proprietary technology processes the articles to prevent the restoration of original text. This method addresses copyright concerns while establishing a compensation mechanism for publishers.
The company will conduct a six-month trial and improvement period with AI developers. SoftBank scheduled the full commercial launch of Garan AI for January 2027 or later. The platform positions SoftBank as a primary data provider within the AI ecosystem.