SoftBank Unit Teams Up With Intel to Develop Next-Generation AI Memory

Saimemory, a subsidiary of SoftBank, has signed a collaboration agreement with Intel to advance the commercialization of next-generation memory technologies tailored for AI workloads. The companies said the effort, known as the Z-Angle Memory (ZAM) program, is focused on overcoming the performance and energy limitations of conventional memory used in today’s data centers.

Under the agreement, Saimemory will leverage Intel’s memory research, including work developed through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Memory Technology program. That initiative concentrated on improving the performance, power efficiency and cost profile of advanced dynamic random-access memory used in computers and servers. Prototypes from the ZAM program are expected by the fiscal year ending March 31, 2028, with commercialization targeted for fiscal 2029.

The announcement was welcomed by investors, with SoftBank shares rising more than 3% and Intel stock gaining about 5% in overnight trading following the news. The collaboration underscores renewed optimism around memory innovation as AI-related demand continues to outpace supply across the semiconductor industry.

Intel executives said existing memory architectures are increasingly ill-suited for AI workloads, which require far greater bandwidth and efficiency. According to the company, a new memory architecture and assembly approach developed through its research efforts could significantly boost DRAM performance while reducing power consumption and costs, opening the door to wider adoption over the coming decade.

Energy efficiency is a central theme of the ZAM program, reflecting broader concerns about the soaring electricity requirements of AI computing. As hyperscalers and chipmakers race to scale AI infrastructure, memory technologies that can deliver higher performance per watt are becoming a strategic priority.

The Intel–SoftBank collaboration also highlights growing interest from Japanese firms in next-generation semiconductor technologies. Japanese IT services group Fujitsu is reportedly involved in the project as well, according to earlier reporting. Together, the partners aim to position ZAM as a viable alternative to existing memory solutions as AI adoption accelerates worldwide.