OpenAI Teams Up with SoftBank, Arm, and Broadcom to Develop Advanced AI Data Center Chips

OpenAI has partnered with Japan’s SoftBank Group Corp. (TYO:9984) and its semiconductor subsidiary Arm Holdings (NASDAQ:ARM) to accelerate the development of next-generation artificial intelligence data center chips, according to a report by The Information. This collaboration marks a major move by OpenAI to reduce reliance on third-party chip suppliers and strengthen its in-house AI infrastructure.

The AI company is working closely with Arm, a leading British chip designer, to create a powerful CPU that complements OpenAI’s proprietary server architecture. Arm’s expertise in energy-efficient chip designs has made it a central player in the global semiconductor landscape, especially as the demand for AI-driven computing continues to surge.

In addition, OpenAI has signed a deal with Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ:AVGO) to produce its first custom AI processors. Under the agreement, OpenAI will handle chip design while Broadcom will oversee development and manufacturing. Production of these advanced processors is expected to begin in the second half of 2026.

The collaboration between OpenAI, Broadcom, and Arm underscores a strategic effort to secure greater control over the hardware powering OpenAI’s expanding suite of AI models. With global competition intensifying in the semiconductor and AI sectors, this partnership positions OpenAI to better meet the massive computational demands of training and deploying cutting-edge AI systems.

Arm, which was relisted by SoftBank in 2023, has increasingly become a key enabler for the AI ecosystem. As companies worldwide race to build more efficient and powerful chips, the OpenAI–SoftBank–Broadcom alliance could reshape the AI infrastructure landscape and drive the next wave of innovation in data center technology.