London — Alok Sama, one of the most prominent figures bridging global finance and technology, has built a career that reads like a masterclass in deal-making at the highest level. A Wharton MBA and veteran of Morgan Stanley, Sama is best known for his tenure as President and CFO of SoftBank Group International, where he helped execute landmark transactions including the $59 billion Sprint–T-Mobile merger and the $34 billion acquisition of Arm Holdings.
Today, Sama channels those experiences into thought leadership and writing. His recent book, The Money Trap: Grand Fortunes & Lost Illusions Inside the Tech Bubble, offers an insider’s view of the modern tech boom and the excesses that accompanied it — insights shaped by his years working alongside SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son.
In an exclusive conversation with The Motivational Speakers Agency, Sama reflects on artificial intelligence, the evolution of corporate leadership, and the deeper lessons he’s drawn from navigating global markets during a time of technological upheaval.
On Writing The Money Trap
“The book is a memoir, but not in the conventional sense,” Sama explains. “It focuses on a five-year slice of life working with Masayoshi Son — one of the most consequential technology investors of all time.”
He describes The Money Trap as both entertaining and introspective, designed to invite readers to form their own interpretations. “The Economist called it a Rorschach test — you can see it either as a celebration of deal-making or a critique of the relentless pursuit of wealth,” Sama notes. “There’s enough in it to support both views.”
The book, he adds, is intended to engage readers not only in stories of high finance but also in the human dimensions of ambition, risk, and decision-making. “It’s been incredible to see people around the world connect with those themes,” he says.
On AI and the Future of Technology
Sama believes artificial intelligence has already begun to redefine the foundations of global business.
“AI is not just a technological revolution — it’s an enterprise-level productivity tool that will reshape competitive advantage across industries,” he says. “How effectively a company integrates AI into its value chain will determine its profitability and market edge.”
While early excitement centers on automation and analytics, Sama predicts that the most transformative impact will emerge over time, as entirely new business models evolve around AI capabilities.
Still, he cautions against overexuberance. “There’s hype, certainly — around large language models and AI startups — but that’s how every technological revolution begins,” he adds. “The real test will be in how these tools translate into durable enterprise value.”
On Leadership, Money, and Decision-Making
When speaking to executives and investors worldwide, Sama takes a collaborative rather than prescriptive approach.
“I don’t like to lecture,” he says. “I share experiences and invite others to do the same. Through that exchange, everyone learns — not just about investment strategy, but about the link between ambition, happiness, and purpose.”
Sama often revisits the contrast between idealism and commercialism in modern investing, a theme he explored deeply during his SoftBank years. “Masayoshi Son approaches investment with idealism — a sense of building the future. That vision can be inspiring, even if the industry today has become more transactional,” he reflects.
For Sama, leadership in finance and technology ultimately comes down to reflection and engagement. “The goal isn’t to preach,” he concludes. “It’s to provoke thought about what success really means — and what we’re willing to trade to achieve it.”
This interview was conducted by Mark Matthews for The Motivational Speakers Agency.
