SoftBank's Intel AI processor plans in doubt as insiders say it is now considering a TSMC partnership

Intel
(Image credit: Intel)

SoftBank has been working with Intel to build AI processors for its Project Izanagi initiative. However, due to Intel's failure to meet 'volume and speed' requirements, SoftBank will shift its focus to TSMC, reports the Financial Times citing its sources. Despite this setback, SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son remains determined to push forward with his ambitious AI plans and the sources do not rule out working with Intel in the future.

Under Project Izanagi, SoftBank planned to develop its own AI processors that would be able to rival Nvidia's AI GPUs in terms of performance and capabilities. Additionally, it would design its own software stack and put it into its own massive AI data centers that would be supplied with their own power plants. SoftBank reportedly wanted Intel to produce the processors, but the processor giant could not meet the Japanese company's requirements for 'volume and speed,' indicate unnamed insiders.

Following the breakdown with Intel, SoftBank turned its attention to the world's largest contract chipmaker TSMC, indicates the FT. While discussions are ongoing, no agreement has been reached, as TSMC is currently struggling to meet the demands of its existing customers, including AMD and Nvidia. 

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Anton Shilov
Contributing Writer

Anton Shilov is a contributing writer at Tom’s Hardware. Over the past couple of decades, he has covered everything from CPUs and GPUs to supercomputers and from modern process technologies and latest fab tools to high-tech industry trends.