Softbank intends to challenge Nvidia in the chip segment for training and running artificial intelligence programs with a project called Izanagi, investments in which could amount to $100 billion.
The plan is to have prototypes of Izanagi processors by the summer of 2025 and begin mass shipments in 2026, Bloomberg reports.
Central to the plan are Arm and Graphcore, which may hand over chip designs. Arm’s movement up the value chain to develop much of the system is part of this plan.
During a recent lawsuit with Qualcomm, it was revealed that Arm CEO Rene Haas presented a strategic document to the Arm board outlining how the company could create and sell its own microchips.
It is reported that Intel’s approach earlier this year to acquire a part of the company was part of Izanagi’s plan to develop a powerful processor for Nvidia.
At the same time, hyperscalers were approached to find out if they want to join Izanagi with funds, technologies, or both. Some of them are running programs to develop their own chips for artificial intelligence.
The involvement of hyperscalers could help secure funding in the hundreds of billions of dollars. Softbank CEO Masayoshi Son has already stated that the value of Izanagi could reach several trillion dollars.
It is noted that Son discussed the plan with Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, and made a tender offer to OpenAI employees to buy up to $1.5 billion worth of shares. Softbank’s Vision Fund already owns $500 million worth of OpenAI shares.