Timothy Morano
Nov 13, 2024 13:43
NVIDIA and SoftBank Corp. join forces to enhance Japan’s AI capabilities, unveiling AI-RAN and supercomputing initiatives aimed at elevating the nation’s global tech leadership.
NVIDIA and SoftBank’s Strategic Partnership
NVIDIA has announced a strategic collaboration with SoftBank Corp. in an effort to bolster Japan’s AI initiatives and fortify its standing in the global technology arena. This partnership aims to unlock significant revenue opportunities for telecommunications providers globally, as reported by NVIDIA Newsroom.
Building Japan’s AI Supercomputer
At the NVIDIA AI Summit in Japan, founder and CEO Jensen Huang revealed that SoftBank is constructing Japan’s most formidable AI supercomputer using the NVIDIA Blackwell platform. Plans are also underway to incorporate the NVIDIA Grace Blackwell platform into future developments. This initiative is part of SoftBank’s broader strategy to lead in AI infrastructure and services.
Innovative AI-RAN Technology
SoftBank has pioneered the world’s first AI and 5G telecom network, leveraging NVIDIA’s AI Aerial platform. This groundbreaking AI-RAN network is expected to generate billions in new revenue streams for telecom operators by transforming base stations into assets that produce AI-based revenue.
SoftBank’s AI Marketplace
In collaboration with NVIDIA, SoftBank is developing an AI marketplace using NVIDIA AI Enterprise software. This platform is set to meet Japan’s demand for localized, secure AI computing, supporting AI training and edge AI inference. It positions SoftBank as a central player in Japan’s AI ecosystem, facilitating business opportunities across various sectors.
Deployment of NVIDIA DGX Systems
SoftBank is the first to receive NVIDIA DGX B200 systems, which will be integral to its DGX SuperPOD supercomputer. This infrastructure will support generative AI development for businesses and academic institutions across Japan. The DGX SuperPOD will be optimized for large language model development, leveraging NVIDIA Quantum-2 InfiniBand networking.
AI-RAN’s Economic Impact
The AI-RAN infrastructure, developed with NVIDIA, enables telecom operators to utilize excess network capacity for AI inference services. This innovative approach is projected to increase telecom revenue, with SoftBank estimating a significant return on investment for AI-RAN infrastructure.
Future Prospects
SoftBank’s continued collaboration with NVIDIA aims to expand AI-RAN capabilities, incorporating NVIDIA Aerial RAN Computer-1 systems to enhance efficiency. This initiative is expected to reduce power consumption and drive further innovation in the telecommunications sector.
Image source: Shutterstock
