SoftBank Acquires Arm-based Chip Designer Ampere Computing to Bolster AI Strategy

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Published inAI News · 4 min read · Mar 20, 2025

SoftBank Group Corp. recently announced its acquisition of server-grade chip designer Ampere Computing for $6.5 billion. This move signifies another significant step in SoftBank's strategic push into artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing.

Ampere Computing's major investors, including Oracle and Carlyle Group, also sold their stakes in this transaction. Ampere specializes in the design of multi-core CPUs. Its 2023 "Ultra" model supports 96 to 192 cores, compatible with the Armv8.6+ architecture and the 5th generation of the server base system architecture. Furthermore, Ampere launched the AmpereOne Aurora chip in 2024, aiming for 512 cores specifically designed for AI workloads. These advanced chip offerings attracted SoftBank's attention, with the company stating that the acquisition will further its "strategic vision and drive AI and computing innovation."

SoftBank Group CEO and Chairman Masayoshi Son stated, "The future of artificial superintelligence requires groundbreaking computing power. Ampere's expertise in semiconductors and high-performance computing will accelerate this vision and deepen our commitment to American AI innovation." Ampere's founder and CEO, Renée J. James, also expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, believing it will create synergies with SoftBank Group's top technology companies.

According to SoftBank's statement, Ampere is expected to collaborate with other companies within the SoftBank Group ecosystem, including investment companies and partners. This strategic layout suggests that Ampere's technological capabilities are poised to combine with Arm Holdings' design strengths, further driving market development.

Some SoftBank subsidiaries, such as LY Corp, a major internet company in South Korea and Japan, operate at hyperscale. SoftBank also owns a telecommunications company in Japan, and its Vision Fund has invested in numerous large e-commerce companies and AI startups, including ByteDance. If SoftBank can steer its companies towards adopting Ampere's processors, it could lead to a significant shift of workloads away from the x86 architecture.

The impact of this move on Arm's own server processor development remains unclear, though reports indicate Meta has become a new Arm customer. SoftBank may explore operating a dual server processor business or focus Arm on custom product sales, allowing Ampere to concentrate on the general-purpose product market.

Key Highlights:
💡 SoftBank Group acquires Ampere Computing for $6.5 billion, further expanding its presence in the AI and high-performance computing market.
💻 Ampere focuses on Arm-based multi-core CPUs, with future plans to launch the AmpereOne Aurora chip supporting 512 cores.
🤝 Ampere will collaborate with other companies within the SoftBank ecosystem, driving the integration of chip technology and design advantages.

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