SoftBank has announced its acquisition of Ampere Computing, a Silicon Valley-based chip design startup, for $6.5 billion in cash. Under the agreement, Ampere will retain its name and headquarters in Santa Clara, California, and operate as a subsidiary of SoftBank. Masayoshi Son, SoftBank’s chairman and CEO, stated that the acquisition is part of the company’s commitment to AI innovation in the United States, emphasizing the need for breakthrough computing power in the development of Artificial Super Intelligence. Renee James, Ampere’s founder and CEO, expressed excitement about joining SoftBank Group and collaborating with its portfolio of leading technology companies. The deal is anticipated to close in the second half of the year. SoftBank’s investments in AI also include Stargate, a $500 billion joint venture with OpenAI, Oracle, and other investors, aimed at investing in AI infrastructure in the US over the next four years.