Imagine a world where AI is seamlessly integrated into our daily lives, enhancing everything from the way we work to how we interact with technology. SoftBank Group is taking a significant step towards this future with its $6.5 billion acquisition of Ampere Computing. This move is all about strengthening their AI infrastructure capabilities, and it’s a big deal for anyone keeping an eye on tech innovation.
Founded by Renee James, a former Intel executive, Ampere is set to become part of the SoftBank family as a wholly-owned subsidiary by the latter half of 2025. If you’re wondering why this matters, consider this: Ampere, based in Santa Clara, California, is a powerhouse in the semiconductor industry, with a team of 1,000 engineers focused on server chips built on the ARM compute platform. This aligns perfectly with SoftBank’s strategy, especially since they already own Arm Holdings, acquired for $32 billion in 2016.
Key investors Carlyle and Oracle, holding 59.65% and 32.27% stakes in Ampere respectively, are selling their shares as part of this deal. It’s a strategic shift that’s likely to make waves in the tech world. Ampere’s impressive client roster includes tech giants like Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, Oracle Cloud, Alibaba, and Tencent, along with companies like HPE and Supermicro. For SoftBank, this acquisition isn’t just about expanding—it’s about enhancing their AI and computing capabilities, propelling their growth initiatives forward.
SoftBank’s been busy lately, making strategic moves that include a partnership with OpenAI to develop an advanced AI named “Cristal intelligence” and investing in the Stargate AI infrastructure project, which is building data centers across the U.S. They’ve even repurposed a former Sharp factory in Japan for their projects. It’s clear they’re not just dipping their toes in AI; they’re diving in headfirst.
Masayoshi Son, Chairman and CEO of SoftBank Group, put it best: “The future of Artificial Super Intelligence requires breakthrough computing power. Ampere’s expertise in semiconductors and high-performance computing will help accelerate this vision and deepen our commitment to AI innovation in the United States.”
Ampere, founded in 2017, initially focused on cloud-native computing but has since expanded into sustainable AI compute technologies. Renee James shared her excitement, saying, “With a shared vision for advancing AI, we are excited to join SoftBank Group and partner with its portfolio of leading technology companies. This is a fantastic outcome for our team, and we are excited to drive forward our AmpereOne roadmap for high-performance Arm processors and AI.”
