Nvidia and SoftBank Launch World's First AI-Driven 5G Telecom Network

Huang said SoftBank was the first to receive its new Blackwell chip designs

Nvidia and SoftBank Corp have successfully piloted the world’s first artificial intelligence (AI) and 5G telecom network, the companies announced on Wednesday.

This groundbreaking network integrates both AI and 5G technologies, enabling them to run workloads simultaneously, a process referred to as an Artificial Intelligence Radio Access Network (AI-RAN). The development marks a significant step in the convergence of AI and telecommunications, with vast implications for the future of both industries.

The AI-RAN network can support various advanced applications, including autonomous vehicle remote support, robotics control, and potentially transforming industries reliant on high-speed, low-latency communication.

SoftBank Group’s CEO, Masayoshi Son, praised the innovation, asserting that other telecom companies would soon be compelled to follow this new direction. “Every other telco will have to follow this new wave,” he said during an AI event, where he appeared alongside Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang.

Nvidia’s CEO Jensen Huang highlighted that SoftBank was the first company to receive its new Blackwell chip designs. The collaboration between Nvidia and SoftBank represents a powerful partnership that could shape the future of telecom networks and AI-driven applications. As the AI and 5G sectors continue to evolve, this pilot could pave the way for a new era of telecommunications and AI convergence.