SoftBank makes $6.5B move for chip designer Ampere

SoftBank

SoftBank Group sealed a deal to acquire US-based chip designer Ampere Computing for $6.5 billion, a company it stated produces high-performance, energy efficient AI compute based on the Arm platform.

In a statement, SoftBank explained the deal aligns with its broader strategic vision and commitment to driving innovation in AI and computing, with the transaction expected to close in the second half of 2025.

SoftBank chair and CEO Masayoshi Son said Ampere’s expertise in chips and high-performance computing “deepens our commitment to AI innovation in the US”.

Ampere founder and CEO Renee James added: “This is a fantastic outcome for our team and we are excited to drive forward our AmpereOne roadmap for high performance Arm processors and AI.”

The acquisition has been approved by SoftBank’s board and will be made through its subsidiary Corp Silver Bands 6 (US), which will purchase all shares of the company based in Santa Clara.

After completion, Ampere will become an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary and retain its name and headquarters.

The deal is subject to standard regulatory approvals including antitrust clearance by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the US, along with the satisfaction or waiver of other closing conditions.

SoftBank holds a majority stake in UK-based chip design company Arm.

Source: Mobile World Live

Honor commits $10B to AI expansion

Honor

Honor announced a strategic overhaul with a $10 billion investment geared towards transitioning into an AI-first device ecosystem company, marking a shift from the vendor’s existing focus on smartphone hardware manufacturing.

The strategy is spearheaded by the company’s newly appointed CEO James Li, who outlined a three-step roadmap for the transition highlighting collaboration as a key priority.

The vendor announced partnerships with Google Cloud and Qualcomm to develop AI-driven offerings, including its first intelligent smartphone set to launch later this year. The device will introduce agentic AI capabilities with a GUI-based personal AI agent capable of managing schedules, making reservations, and optimising daily tasks by using contextual awareness and adapting to user behaviour.

According to Li, the investment is “a reflection of our confidence in the potential of AI device technology”, highlighting the company’s “mutual trust” with industry collaborators in pushing AI innovation.

Orange, Telefonica and Vodafone are also amongst the vendor’s partners for the shift.  

As part of its AI push, Honor launched a file-sharing system dubbed AI Connect to join its AI-driven ecosystem. Claiming it as the world’s first cross-platform file-sharing system, the vendor touted the technology’s capability to enable file transfers between iOS and Android operating systems.

Other AI innovations introduced include an AI-powered image restoration tool launching on the Magic7 Pro, and an AI deepfake detection feature for video calls to enhance digital security.

In a bid for longevity and sustainability, Honor also confirmed it will provide seven years of Android OS and security updates for its flagship Magic series devices, in what Li touted was a “consumer-centric approach to our future products”.

The company also expanded its hardware lineup with new AI-powered devices including a laptop, tablet, smartwatch and earbuds.

Source: Mobile World Live

AI Maturity: Telecom Outpaces Tech in AI Preparedness

ai-in-telecommunications-b3416a757409cd4d02e46ad7ce25ecea

Telecommunications has emerged as a trailblazer in the realm of artificial intelligence (AI), solidifying its position at the forefront of technological innovation.

According to a recent GenAI Readiness report study we conducted, the telecommunications industry is the most AI-ready sector for 2025.

Telecom outpaces other industries, including the technology sector, in its preparedness to harness the potential of AI. This remarkable achievement underscores the telco industry’s proactive approach to technology adoption and commitment to staying ahead of the curve.

As the world embraces the power of AI, telecommunications stands as a vanguard, actively pioneering the integration of AI capabilities into its operations and services.

Verizon leads in spearheading AI integration

Verizon Communications stands as the undisputed leader in AI maturity within the telecommunications industry. Verizon secures the top ranking with an impressive AI Maturity Score of 87.7, surpassing its competitors in the sector.

Several factors have contributed to Verizon’s dominance in AI maturity. The company has made strategic investments in AI research and development over the last few years. Additionally, Verizon has leveraged AI to streamline processes, enhance customer experiences, and drive operational efficiencies. By harnessing AI efficiency, Verizon has positioned itself as a frontrunner in the telecommunications landscape, setting a benchmark for other companies.

The report ranks the top 10 telecom companies by AI maturity, which are:

  1. Verizon
  2. AT&T
  3. Orange
  4. T-Mobile
  5. Vodafone
  6. Qwest
  7. Bell
  8. Movistar
  9. Telstra
  10. DISH Network

The report is built upon our AI Maturity Index — a metric that evaluates the AI readiness and adoption of companies across industries. This index assesses an organization’s AI maturity, considering factors such as investment in AI technologies, integration of AI into business processes, and the development of AI-driven products and services.

The significance of the AI Maturity Index lies in its ability to provide a comprehensive and objective assessment of an organization’s AI capabilities. This metric serves as a valuable benchmark for companies to gauge their AI readiness relative to peers and competitors. By understanding their AI maturity level, businesses can make informed decisions about their AI strategies, investments, and workforce development.

AI adoption trends in telecommunications

According to the AI Maturity Index, telecommunications has the highest average AI Maturity across industries. However, it still only reaches a score of 34/100. This indicates how far many enterprises have to go if they are to be in a position to capitalize on new and emerging AI technologies.

As highlighted by McKinsey & Company’s analysis, Generative AI models can democratize access to powerful capabilities, enabling telecom companies to reshape customer expectations and introduce groundbreaking offerings. This could revitalize profitability and position AI-mature companies as industry leaders.

Companies that have effectively integrated AI technologies stand to gain a significant edge. Critical use cases for GenAI in the telecom sector include conversational chat for customer service, network maintenance, annotation with automation, content creation and localization, and technical sales knowledge management.

Ultimately, the implications of AI maturity in telecommunications extend beyond operational efficiencies and innovation. By embracing AI’s transformative potential, companies can future-proof their businesses, adapt to evolving market dynamics, and stay ahead of the competition in an increasingly digital landscape.

The views expressed in this article belong solely to the author and do not represent The Fast Mode. While information provided in this post is obtained from sources believed by The Fast Mode to be reliable, The Fast Mode is not liable for any losses or damages arising from any information limitations, changes, inaccuracies, misrepresentations, omissions or errors contained therein. The heading is for ease of reference and shall not be deemed to influence the information presented.

Source: www.thefastmode.com

Author: Matt Hogan

Serving as Vice President, Growth Marketing at HG Insights, Hogan joined the company through the acquisition of Intricately, where he was the Vice President of the sales and customer success teams. His data-driven mindset and breadth of experience provides a comprehensive focus on elevating the performance of Go-To-Market organizations across sales, marketing, and customer success.