SoftBank Advances AI Infrastructure Strategy Through Intel Memory Partnership

SoftBank Group Corp. is taking a definitive step into the hardware side of artificial intelligence. Its subsidiary, Saimemory, has entered into a collaborative agreement with Intel Corporation, focusing on the commercialization of an innovative memory technology dubbed "Z-Angle Memory" (ZAM). This initiative aims to tackle a critical bottleneck in the infrastructure supporting advanced AI systems.

Investors reacted positively to the announcement. SoftBank's shares closed at 4,300 Yen, marking a gain of 5.13% for the session. Trading volume was notably high, with 39.11 million shares changing hands.

The key elements of the partnership are as follows:
* Collaborators: Saimemory, a SoftBank subsidiary, and Intel.
* Technology: Development of "Z-Angle Memory" (ZAM), leveraging Intel's "Next Generation DRAM Bonding" expertise.
* Financial Commitment: SoftBank will invest up to 3 billion Yen over the coming two years to propel the project.
* Development Timeline: Prototypes are targeted for completion by the end of the fiscal year in March 2028, with full commercialization scheduled for the end of the fiscal year in March 2029.

Addressing AI Data Center Challenges

The collaboration is designed to alleviate a major constraint in AI data centers. The stated development goals for ZAM are to deliver significantly greater memory capacity and bandwidth while simultaneously reducing power consumption. This combination of higher performance and improved efficiency is crucial for hyperscale operators running large language models, where scalability is often determined by such metrics.

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Technically, the project will build upon Intel's advanced capabilities in next-generation DRAM bonding. The substantial financial backing from SoftBank is intended to accelerate the path from research to market-ready product.

Strategic Pivot: From Investor to Technology Provider

This move aligns with a broader strategic shift for SoftBank, signaling a deeper push into the physical infrastructure underpinning AI. The conglomerate is positioning itself not merely as a financial investor in AI companies but also as a potential technology provider within the value chain.

The partnership also extends a pre-existing financial relationship between the two corporations. In mid-2025, SoftBank committed to investing 2 billion US dollars in Intel to bolster its chip manufacturing operations.

Upcoming Focus: Quarterly Earnings

Attention now turns to SoftBank's upcoming financial disclosure. The company is set to report its third-quarter earnings for the current fiscal year on February 12. Market participants are likely to scrutinize the release for further details on the Saimemory technology roadmap and for any updates on capital allocation strategies within the AI sector.