[News] SoftBank to Launch World’s First Supercomputer Powered by NVIDIA Blackwell Chips

---

---

According to BNN Bloomberg, SoftBank is set to be the first to build a supercomputer powered by NVIDIA’s Blackwell platform, highlighting the Japanese company’s ambitions in the AI sector.

NVIDIA’s press release reveals that SoftBank is poised to receive the world’s first NVIDIA DGX B200 product, which will form the basis for its new NVIDIA DGX SuperPOD supercomputer. Alongside the DGX SuperPOD, SoftBank also plans to develop another NVIDIA-accelerated supercomputer that will use NVIDIA Grace Blackwell platform, as the press release noted.

As BNN Bloomberg noted, Nvidia’s chips have become highly sought after by the world’s largest tech companies, and the announcement suggests that SoftBank has secured a favorable position for access to NVIDIA’s chips.

According to NVIDIA’s press release, SoftBank intends to leverage its Blackwell-powered DGX SuperPOD for its own generative AI development and AI-related operations, as well as to support universities, research centers, and businesses throughout Japan.

The press release also highlighted that, using NVIDIA’s AI Aerial accelerated computing platform, SoftBank has successfully tested the world’s first telecom network that combined AI and 5G . This new type of network, called AI-RAN (Artificial Intelligence Radio Access Network), allows operators to run AI and 5G workloads simultaneously, transforming base stations from cost centers into revenue-generating AI assets.

A memorable moment during the conversation was when SoftBank’s CEO, Masayoshi Son—once NVIDIA’s largest shareholder before selling the stake—was reminded that SoftBank’s former investment in NVIDIA would now be worth about USD 178 billion, according to the report. With a wry smile, Son couldn’t help but laugh, eventually pulling Huang in for a warm, lighthearted bear hug.

Read more

• [News] Jensen Huang Clarifies No Tension with TSMC After Blackwell AI Chip Design Flaw
• [News] SoftBank’s Collaboration with Intel on AI Chips Reportedly Foundered, with TSMC Emerging as a Potential Partner

(Photo credit: Bloomberg Television)