- Softbank reportedly looking to buy Ampere Computing
- The Japanese tech giant already owns Graphcore and Arm
- Experts say Softbank’s ambition would be to compete with global hyperscalers
SoftBank, Arm’s majority shareholder, is reportedly in talks to acquire Ampere Computing (via Bnnbloomberg).
Ampere, known for its data center chips based on the Arm architecture, has attracted attention for its advanced chips, including the 192-core Polaris and the upcoming 256-core Magnetrix.
The deal is currently uncertain but highlights SoftBank’s ambitions to challenge processor industry giants like AMD and Intel amid a current boom in AI investment.
The strategic importance of Ampère
Oracle-backed Ampere Computing is a key player in the AI and data center chip market, and its acquisition would undoubtedly strengthen Arm’s push to move beyond chip design licensing to become a manufacturer of full-fledged chips.
Ampere’s expertise could also strengthen Arm’s penetration into the lucrative data center market, aligning with CEO René Haas’ vision to expand the company’s presence in this sector.
Ampere processors are designed to handle demanding data center workloads, a critical capability as industries increasingly rely on AI-driven solutions. Combining Softbank’s Graphcore AI accelerators with Ampere’s processors could enable SoftBank to create competitive systems for this sector.
The potential acquisition comes with some caveats for both companies. Ampere is preparing for an IPO, indicating its interest in maintaining its independence, while Softbank will have to convince Oracle and the Carlyle Group, both major shareholders of Ampere, to ratify the deal.
