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.

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• [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)

TSMC founder Morris Chang is about to release the second volume of his autobiography. According to Economic Daily News, in this second volume of his autobiography, Chang reveals that he once considered inviting NVIDIA founder Jensen Huang to take on the role of TSMC’s CEO in 2013.

This decision detail has immediately sparked widespread discussion in the industry. According to the report from Economic Daily News, the book’s chapter list shows that after appointing C.C. Wei, Mark Liu, and Shang-Yi Chiang as COOs in 2012, Chang approached Huang the following year to gauge his interest in leading TSMC.

Although Huang ultimately chose to continue leading NVIDIA, this historical moment highlights Chang’s high regard for his leadership abilities.

The report from Economic Daily News indicated that TSMC and NVIDIA have collaborated closely in the AI and high-performance computing fields, achieving significant commercial success and establishing themselves as key partners in the tech supply chain.

According to a report in Commercial Times, the partnership between NVIDIA’s Jensen Huang and TSMC’s Morris Chang began after a phone call, when the 32-year-old Huang reached out to Chang. NVIDIA was a young startup, and Huang was unsure if TSMC would collaborate with them. To his surprise, Chang personally called NVIDIA, and that call, answered by Huang, initiated a partnership that has endured for over 20 years.

Chang and Huang are often celebrated as intergenerational friends, admired for their insights into the technology industry and mutual respect for each other’s corporate cultures.

Huang has consistently emphasized the profound influence of Chang’s insights on his own approach to the industry, recognizing Chang as the godfather of Taiwan’s technology industry. According to a CNA report, when Morris Chang received the K.T. Li Award, Jensen Huang traveled from the U.S. to Taiwan specifically to attend the ceremony and personally congratulate him. Huang remarked that NVIDIA was built on the foundation laid by TSMC, stating that without TSMC, NVIDIA would not exist.

Chang has also expressed mutual respect for Huang. According to the report from Economic Daily News, in recent public appearances, he has frequently referenced Huang’s viewpoints and even endorsed his remarks on Intel’s entry into semiconductor foundry services, highlighting their shared perspectives on industry trends and the deep friendship that underpins their collaboration.

Read more

• [News] TSMC Founder Morris Chang to Release Autobiography in November, Highlighting His Life at TI and TSMC
• [News] Jensen Huang Clarifies No Tension with TSMC After Blackwell AI Chip Design Flaw

(Photo credit: TechNews)

While introducing the industry’s first 48GB 16-high HBM3E at SK AI Summit in Seoul today, South Korean memory giant SK hynix has reportedly seen strong demand for its next-gen HBM. According to reports by Reuters and South Korean media outlet ZDNet, NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang requested SK hynix to accelerate the supply of HBM4 by six months.

The information was disclosed by SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won earlier today at the SK AI Summit, according to the reports. In October, the company said that it planned to deliver the chips to customers in the second half of 2025, according to the reports.

When asked by ZDNet about HBM4’s accelerated timetable, SK hynix President Kwak Noh-Jung responded by saying “We will give it a try.”

A spokesperson for SK hynix cited by Reuters noted that this new timeline is quicker than their original target, but did not provide additional details.

According to ZDNet, NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang also made his appearance in a video interview at the Summit, stating that by collaborating with SK hynix, NVIDIA has been able to achieve progress beyond Moore’s Law, and the company will continue to need more of SK hynix’s HBM in the future.

According to the third-quarter financial report released by SK hynix in late October, the company posted record-breaking figures, including revenues of 17.5731 trillion won, an operating profit of 7.03 trillion won (with an operating margin of 40%), and a net profit of 5.7534 trillion won (with a net margin of 33%) for the third quarter of this year.

In particular, HBM sales showed excellent growth, up more than 70% from the previous quarter and more than 330% from the same period last year.

SK hynix is indeed making strides in its HBM, as it started mass production of the world’s first 12-layer HBM3E product with 36GB in September. It has also been developing 48GB 16-high HBM3E in a bid to secure technological stability and plans to provide samples to customers early next year, according to the company’s press release.

On the other hand, according to another report by Business Korea, Kim Jae-jun, Vice President of the Memory Business Division, stated In the earnings call that the company is mass-producing and selling both HBM3E 8-stack and 12-stack products, and have completed key stages of the quality testing process for a major customer. Though Kim did not specify the identity of the major customer, industry analysts suggest it is likely NVIDIA.

To shorten the technology gap with SK hynix, Samsung is reportedly planning to produce the next-generation HBM4 products in the latter half of next year.

Read more

• [News] SK hynix Introduces World’s First 16-High HBM3E, Providing Samples in Early 2025
• [News] SK hynix Reportedly to Tape-out HBM4 in October, Paving the Way for NVIDIA’s Rubin

(Photo credit: NVIDIA)

Foxconn’s annual Technology Day kicked off today at the Nangang Exhibition Center, following the tradition of celebrating founder Terry Gou’s birthday. Although Mr. Gou was not present at the event, NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang made a surprise appearance, introducing the production version of Model B and highlighting its appeal to young couples.

Jensen Huang announced that he and Foxconn Chairman Young Liu are collaborating to establish an AI Factory. He shared hand-drawn sketches, emphasizing that they are adopting a novel approach to software development, enabling computers to create software based on human preferences and experiences. To ensure a computer’s ability to learn effectively, it must have access to abundant data from which it can derive valuable insights and experiences..

He unveiled the vital role of robust computers in facilitating AI learning. With NVIDIA’s assistance, Foxconn may collect enough data for AI to process shape network models, paving the way for innovative intelligence.

Jensen Huang then emphasized that this groundbreaking system is set to empower any factory or company, with Foxconn’s cutting-edge electric vehicle Model B enabling interaction between drivers and passengers. The AI Factory will offer a wide array of tools, including software solutions, to enhance the overall quality of life.

Chairman Liu reiterated their determination to bring AI Factory into fruition, backed by three core platforms: Smart City, Smart Manufacturing, and Smart EVs, all of which are driven by the innovative AI Factory.

Huang noted that these efforts will all be fueled by AI intelligence, ultimately creating substantial value. In a light-hearted tone, he concluded, “Let’s meet at the night market!”

Adding an interesting twist to the day’s events, Foxconn’s Tech Day featured three Foxconn N7 electric cars in deep blue, light blue, and white. Notably, the white vehicle showcased a handwritten message from Jensen Huang that read, “To Young and my friend at Foxconn, beautiful and amazing EVs! Jensen Huang.”

(Photo credit: Foxconn’s Stream)

Nvidia hosted its fall GTC (GPU Technology Conference) in early November, during which the company shared details regarding the progress that it had made on products and services such as AI software, data centers, automotive applications, and healthcare. In particular, Nvidia’s foray into virtual worlds and digital twins, both of which are closely tied to the metaverse, garnered significant attention from the public. By leveraging diverse simulation tools that reflect real-life circumstances, Nvidia has extended the application of virtual worlds from the local scale to the planetary scale, thereby reflecting the metaverse’s pioneering qualities and developmental progress.

Along with the ongoing metaverse craze, Nvidia also released its Omniverse Avatar technology platform as well as its Omniverse Replicator, which is a “synthetic data-generation engine” according to the company. Both of these releases are based on the Nvidia Omniverse, a platform that specializes in virtual collaboration. Whereas the Omniverse Avatar platform enables the creation of interactive virtual characters through synergies among voice AI technology, machine vision, and NLP (natural language processing), the Omniverse Replicator constructs more realistic, lifelike virtual worlds by training DNN (deep neural networks) using such synthetic data as velocity, depth, and weather conditions.

Digital twin-based virtual factories are starting to show the first hints of the metaverse

The metaverse value chain primarily revolves around commonly seen infrastructural backbones formed by telecommunications and cloud/edge computing. The virtual space that is then built on top of this infrastructure comprises HMI (human machine interface), decentralization, application creation, and user experiences. More specifically, HMI produces an AI-empowered immersive experience by combining multiple interactive technologies with an AR/VR base layer. At the moment, companies such as Nvida, Meta (formerly known as Facebook), Microsoft (including Xbox), and Vive are heavily invested in HMI development. Application creation, on the other hand, refers to mechanisms that make the metaverse more lively, reliable, diverse, and attractive. Some examples include graphical tools and cryptocurrency technologies. Representative groups focusing on this field include Roblox, IBM, Google AI, Epic, and Unity.

Regarding the content of Nvidia’s presentation during GTC apart from the Omniverse Avatar and Replicator, the company also released CloudXR, Showroom, and other Omniverse-based tools used for optimizing immersive experiences. As well, Nvidia also released the Modulus neural network model, which is accelerates the build-out of digital twins. These releases, in turn, demonstrates Nvidia’s competency and leadership in creating AI-driven software tools for the metaverse value chain. With regards to real-life use cases, digital twins currently represent most of Nvidia’s applications. For instance, BMW and Nvidia have partnered to construct a digital twin-based factory via the Omniverse platform capable of connecting ERP (enterprise resource management), shipment volume simulation, remote-controlled robots, production line simulation, etc. This partnership is indicative of promising early-stage growth of the metaverse.

Nvidia is extending its simulation application from factories to planets

While smart city development has remained one of the main use cases of simulation in recent years, Nvidia has further extended its simulation applications from use cases previously limited to singular offices or factory facilities. For instance, BIM (building information modeling) specialist Bentley Systems has teamed up with Nvidia to apply digital twins to public property management and maintenance. Ericsson, on the other hand, is utilizing Nvidia’s technology to construct a digital replica of an entire city for the purpose of checking 5G signal coverages, optimizing base station placement, and improving antenna designs. During the GTC, Nvidia unveiled the Earth-2 system, which is a supercomputer that generates a digital twin of planet earth for weather forecasts.

As a matter of fact, most products and services announced by Nvidia during GTC represent either a partial or entry-level application of the metaverse. However, as the post-pandemic new normal continues to drive up the demand for contactless and digital transformation applications, strengthening CPS (cyber physical systems) will remain one of the most significant trends in the market. As real-world environments become increasingly complex due to interactions among an increasing number of tools and use cases, Nvidia will aim to create a comprehensive framework for metaverse development through products/services based on more intelligent, comprehensive, and instant virtual worlds. Hence, TrendForce believes that Nvidia will need to address certain major challenges going forward, including lowering its tools’ usage barriers, strengthening its ecosystem, and attracting new users.

（Image credit: NVIDIA）