Nvidia and SoftBank Join Forces to Power Japan’s AI Ambitions
In a major development for the global artificial intelligence landscape, Nvidia Corp (NVDA) and SoftBank Group (SFTBF, SFTBY) have announced a strategic partnership to build Japan’s most powerful AI supercomputer. This collaboration, unveiled at the Nvidia AI Summit Japan, signifies a critical step in Japan’s mission to establish itself as a global leader in the AI revolution.
The heart of this partnership lies in SoftBank’s adoption of Nvidia’s cutting-edge Blackwell platform. This advanced technology will be the foundation of Japan’s new supercomputer, with SoftBank also planning to leverage Nvidia’s Grace Blackwell platform for future supercomputing initiatives.
“Japan has a long history of pioneering technological innovations with global impact,” emphasized Jensen Huang, Nvidia’s founder and CEO. “With SoftBank’s significant investment in Nvidia’s full-stack AI, Omniverse and 5G AI-RAN platforms, Japan is leaping into the AI industrial revolution.”
This partnership builds upon SoftBank’s prior success in pioneering the world’s first combined AI and 5G telecom network using Nvidia’s AI Aerial platform. This groundbreaking innovation holds the potential to generate billions in new revenue for global telecom operators by transforming base stations into AI-powered revenue-producing assets.
“Countries and regions worldwide are accelerating the adoption of AI for social and economic growth,” stated Junichi Miyakawa, SoftBank’s president and CEO. “Through our long collaboration with Nvidia, SoftBank is leading this transformation from the forefront.”
Key Initiatives in the Partnership:
* SoftBank will be the first to receive Nvidia DGX B200 systems for its new DGX SuperPOD supercomputer.
* The partners will collaborate on developing an AI marketplace powered by Nvidia AI Enterprise software.
* SoftBank will implement Nvidia’s AI-RAN solution, which is expected to reduce power consumption by 40% compared to traditional 5G infrastructure.
Strategic Significance and Potential Impact:
This collaboration represents a pivotal strategic shift for both Nvidia and SoftBank. SoftBank anticipates potential returns of up to 219% for each AI-RAN server integrated into its infrastructure. The company plans to initiate global deployment of its AI-RAN solution, known as “AITRAS,” starting in 2026.
This partnership follows SoftBank’s recent aggressive moves in the AI sector, including a $960 million investment commitment to develop Japanese-language AI models and the acquisition of UK-based chipmaker Graphcore.
The combined efforts of Nvidia and SoftBank are anticipated to accelerate Japan’s progress in the global AI race, creating new opportunities for industries such as telecommunications, transportation, robotics, and healthcare. This partnership underscores Japan’s commitment to embracing AI as a key driver of innovation and economic growth.
