SoftBank is making a major move in the AI chip industry with its latest acquisition. The Japanese conglomerate has announced that it is purchasing Ampere Computing, the chip design company founded by former Intel president Renee James, for a staggering $6.5 billion in cash.

Ampere, established in 2018, originally focused on cloud-native computing solutions but has since pivoted toward AI-driven computing. The company has developed high-performance processors designed to meet the growing demand for sustainable AI workloads, making it a valuable addition to SoftBank’s expanding tech portfolio.

The acquisition is expected to bolster SoftBank’s semiconductor strategy, particularly through its ownership of Arm, a leader in mobile and AI chip architectures. Reports suggest that Arm is already developing its own in-house chip solutions, and the integration of Ampere’s expertise could accelerate those efforts.

“As SoftBank continues to expand its AI infrastructure investments, including ventures such as Cristal Intelligence and Stargate, the acquisition of Ampere will enhance our capabilities and further our growth ambitions,” SoftBank said in an official statement. The deal is set to close later this year, subject to regulatory approvals and customary conditions.

Ampere will remain an independent subsidiary, retaining its brand and leadership team. CEO Renee James expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition, calling it a ‘fantastic outcome’ for the company.

“With a shared vision for advancing AI, we are excited to join SoftBank and collaborate with its portfolio of leading technology companies,” James stated. “This partnership will allow us to drive forward our AmpereOne roadmap and continue innovating high-performance Arm-based processors tailored for AI applications.”

This acquisition highlights SoftBank’s aggressive push into AI infrastructure, reinforcing its long-term strategy of dominating the next era of computing.

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