SoftBank has reportedly decided against using Intel's foundry for its ambitious AI venture, Project Izanagi, and is opting for TSMC instead. The conglomerate aims to challenge NVIDIA in the AI accelerator market by developing its own AI processors. This decision marks another setback for Intel, which has faced several challenges recently. In February 2024, reports emerged that SoftBank's CEO, Masayoshi Son, planned to invest up to $100 billion to create a company similar to NVIDIA, focused on selling AI accelerators. Although SoftBank initially worked with Intel, it recently switched to TSMC, citing concerns about Intel's ability to meet demands for "volume and speed."

The decision, reported by the Financial Times, raises questions about Intel's future involvement and how SoftBank's ownership of Arm Holdings will factor into the project. While TSMC is now SoftBank's choice, the foundry is already operating at full capacity, making it uncertain how it will accommodate this new venture. Neither SoftBank, Intel nor TSMC has commented on the situation, but given the complexities involved, it will likely take time for this plan to materialize. SoftBank will need to replicate NVIDIA's entire ecosystem, from chip design to data centers and a software stack rivaling CUDA, a bold and ambitious goal.In July, SoftBank expanded its semiconductor portfolio by acquiring Graphcore, a British AI chip designer. While the acquisition amount remains undisclosed, this move is consistent with SoftBank's significant presence in the chip industry. The company already holds a majority stake in Arm, another British chip designer, which it purchased for $32 billion in 2016. Despite Arm's return to the stock market last year, SoftBank maintained its controlling interest.

In a separate development, Intel divested its position in Arm. The American tech giant sold its 1.18 million shares, generating approximately $146.7 million from the transaction.