SoftBank Group is making a major push into artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure with its latest acquisition. The Japanese investment giant announced plans to purchase Ampere Computing, a semiconductor firm specializing in high-performance AI and cloud computing, for $6.5 billion in an all-cash deal.
Masayoshi Son, Chairman and CEO of SoftBank Group, emphasized the importance of computing power in the future of AI. “The next generation of Artificial Super Intelligence demands cutting-edge hardware,” Son stated. “Ampere’s advanced semiconductor technology aligns with our vision and reinforces our commitment to AI innovation in the U.S.”
Founded in 2017 by former Intel executive Renee James, Ampere initially focused on cloud-native computing before shifting its expertise toward energy-efficient AI processors. James expressed excitement about joining forces with SoftBank, highlighting the opportunity to accelerate Ampere’s roadmap for high-performance Arm-based chips. “This partnership is a tremendous milestone for our team and will allow us to push the boundaries of AI computing,” she said.
The acquisition is expected to be finalized in the second half of 2025, with Ampere set to operate as a wholly owned SoftBank subsidiary. Investors Carlyle and Oracle, which currently hold majority stakes in the Santa Clara-based company, will be selling their shares as part of the deal. Carlyle owns 59.65% of Ampere, while Oracle holds a 32.27% stake. The company employs around 1,000 semiconductor engineers.
SoftBank has been eyeing Ampere for years. In 2021, the company considered acquiring a minority stake when Ampere was valued at $8 billion, according to Bloomberg. The acquisition will strengthen SoftBank’s position in AI computing, especially given Ampere’s close ties to Arm Holdings. SoftBank is the majority shareholder of Arm, and Ampere’s processors are built on Arm’s architecture, making them natural strategic partners.
Ampere’s technology is already used by major cloud service providers, including Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, Oracle Cloud, Alibaba, and Tencent. Additionally, enterprise technology leaders like HPE and Supermicro rely on Ampere’s AI chips.
This move is part of SoftBank’s broader strategy to dominate AI infrastructure. The company has recently forged partnerships with OpenAI, invested in AI-driven data centers through the Stargate project, and acquired a former Sharp factory in Japan to boost production. With Ampere now under its umbrella, SoftBank is positioning itself at the forefront of AI computing for years to come.
