SoftBank Acquires Ampere Computing to Enhance AI Infrastructure

SoftBank has agreed to purchase Ampere Computing, a Silicon Valley chip startup, for $6.5 billion. This acquisition is part of SoftBank’s strategic push into artificial intelligence infrastructure, leveraging Ampere’s expertise in semiconductors and high-performance computing. Ampere specializes in chips for data centers based on Arm technology, which SoftBank has been promoting for broader use. The deal reflects SoftBank’s belief in the potential of Ampere’s chips to play a significant role in AI, a sector dominated by Nvidia. Ampere will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of SoftBank. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2025 and involves the sale of stakes held by Oracle and Carlyle. This move aligns with SoftBank’s initiatives to expand its influence in AI, including the Stargate project, which aims to invest up to $500 billion in U.S. data centers.