[AI Concerns Impact Tech Stocks, SoftBank Records First Net Loss in Nearly Two Years] Odaily Planet Daily reports that SoftBank announced its first net loss in nearly two years. This comes after market concerns about spending and demand in the artificial intelligence sector impacted the tech investment giant's major holdings. SoftBank posted a loss of 1.12 trillion yen (US$7.1 billion) in the second fiscal quarter, a significant reversal from a profit in the same period last year. Fallen shares of chipmakers Arm and Intel, as well as South Korean e-commerce giant Coupang, dragged down SoftBank's overall performance. The Vision Fund, which manages equity in hundreds of tech startups, recorded a loss of 81.6 billion yen. SoftBank is increasingly seen as a bellwether for sentiment regarding OpenAI and the broader AI sector. Since hitting an all-time high in June, SoftBank's stock price has plummeted by over 50%. This stems from market concerns about its borrowing for massive AI investments, as well as fears that a sweeping Democratic victory in the US midterm elections could stall many of Masayoshi Son's projects. (Jinshi)