"" Yossi Cohen, the former director of Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency, has been appointed strategic advisor at SoftBank, placing him closer to the organization’s top decision-making levels and to founder Masayoshi Son personally.
Cohen’s new role expands his remit beyond Israel, with a focus on artificial intelligence, data centers, cloud processing, and semiconductor investments. He joins SoftBank at a time when the company is making direct investments in AI enablers, including positions in OpenAI and ARM.
Cohen’s promotion comes after a successful stint running SoftBank’s Israeli operations, during which he oversaw Vision Fund investments in several notable cybersecurity firms, generating substantial returns. His experience leading one of the world’s most sophisticated intelligence agencies has sharpened his ability to assess technology with national security implications.
The appointment fits into a broader strategic transformation at SoftBank, which has seen the company record an $8.2 billion profit from an Intel investment in Q2 2026 and a $1.7 billion valuation increase in the same quarter, driven by performance in ByteDance and OpenAI-related holdings.
SoftBank’s AI Strategy
SoftBank has been making significant investments in AI enablers, with positions in OpenAI and ARM representing the core of its thesis. The company’s focus on AI is expected to continue, with Cohen’s expertise in the field likely to play a key role in shaping its strategy.
Cohen’s Background
Yossi Cohen is a highly experienced executive with a background in intelligence and technology. His appointment as strategic advisor to SoftBank reflects his expertise in assessing technology with national security implications and his ability to generate substantial returns from investments in cybersecurity firms.
Implications for SoftBank’s Future
Cohen’s appointment has significant implications for SoftBank’s future, particularly in terms of its AI strategy. With Cohen’s expertise in the field, the company is likely to continue making significant investments in AI enablers and to see strong returns from these investments.
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