SoftBank ($9984 (+1,45 %)) has acquired the British company Graphcore which specializes in AI chips. The M&A transaction is part of SoftBank's strategy to expand its capabilities in the field of artificial intelligence capabilities. Graphcore manufactures specialized chips that are particularly well suited for machine learning and AI applications. SoftBank wants to use this technology to improve its own AI projects.

The financial details of the acquisition were not disclosed, but it is assumed that the purchase price is below the valuation of 2 billion pounds that Graphcore 2020 had reached. The acquisition secures Graphcore's future as the company previously struggled with financial difficulties.

Graphcore's CEO Nigel Toon sees the acquisition as confirmation for the quality of its technology. SoftBank emphasizes the importance of advanced semiconductors for the development of "Artificial General Intelligence" (AGI), i.e. machines that are capable of human-like intelligence intelligence.