JAPANESE technology investor SoftBank dropped plans of producing an artificial intelligence (AI) chip with Intel to compete with Nvidia, the Financial Times (FT) reported on Thursday (Aug 15).
The partnership did not materialise after the US chipmaker struggled to meet SoftBank’s requirements, according to the report, citing sources familiar with the matter.
SoftBank has blamed Intel for the collapse of the talks, claiming Intel was incapable of meeting its demands for volume and speed, the report said, adding that SoftBank is now focusing on discussions with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), the world’s largest contract chipmaker.
The talks failed in advance of Intel’s drastic cost-cutting plans, which included thousands of layoffs in early August, the report added.
Intel and SoftBank did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for comment. REUTERS