据知情人士透露，日本软银集团正就收购英国人工智能芯片制造商Graphcore进行深入谈判。这家英国半导体初创公司的估值曾一度达到28亿美元。
消息人士指出，软银与Graphcore的谈判已持续数月，但最近几周双方才将讨论推进至更为深入的交易阶段。目前，收购的具体财务条款尚未确定，存在谈判破裂的可能。其中一位消息人士表示，预计不会很快达成最终协议。
Graphcore成立于2016年，总部位于英国布里斯托尔，专注于开发用于机器学习和深度学习应用的定制芯片，被认为在人工智能领域具有创新性。公司的产品被看作是英伟达和AMD等传统图形处理单元（GPU）制造商的潜在竞争对手。
软银对Graphcore的收购兴趣可能与其在人工智能领域的长期投资战略相符。软银愿景基金（SoftBank Vision Fund），这个全球最大的科技投资基金之一，已经对多个科技领域的创新企业进行了投资，包括Uber、WeWork和滴滴出行等。
收购Graphcore可能会为软银提供在快速发展的AI芯片市场中的另一个立足点，进而增强其在人工智能领域的布局。
然而，值得注意的是，高科技领域的并购谈判常常充满变数，且在签订最终协议前可能会经历多次波折。消息人士提醒，尽管双方正在讨论中的交易可能会达成，但也存在失败的风险。
截至目前，软银和Graphcore的代表对此报道未予置评。随着谈判的进展，相关市场和投资者将密切关注这一交易的动向，以期待更多细节的披露。
英语如下：
**Title: SoftBank in Talks to Acquire UK AI Chip Company Graphcore for $2.8 Billion**
Keywords: SoftBank acquisition, Graphcore, semiconductor deal
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SoftBank Group is in deep talks to acquire UK artificial intelligence chipmaker Graphcore, with the latter’s valuation having reached as high as $2.8 billion.
Sources familiar with the matter say that Japan’s SoftBank Group is engaged in intense negotiations to purchase Graphcore, a UK-based semiconductor startup that has seen its value peak at $2.8 billion.
The sources indicate that the talks between SoftBank and Graphcore have been ongoing for several months, but it is only in the past few weeks that the discussions have moved to a more advanced stage of transaction. Specific financial terms of the acquisition are yet to be fully determined, and there remains a possibility of the negotiations falling apart. One of the sources said an agreement is not expected to be reached anytime soon.
Founded in 2016, Graphcore is headquartered in Bristol, UK, and focuses on developing custom chips for machine learning and deep learning applications, which are considered innovative in the field of artificial intelligence. The company’s products are seen as potential competitors to traditional GPU manufacturers such as Nvidia and AMD.
SoftBank’s interest in acquiring Graphcore may align with its long-term investment strategy in artificial intelligence. SoftBank Vision Fund, one of the world’s largest technology investment funds, has already invested in numerous innovative companies across various sectors, including Uber, WeWork, and Didi Chuxing, among others.
Acquiring Graphcore could provide SoftBank with another foothold in the rapidly growing AI chip market, thereby enhancing its positioning in the field of artificial intelligence.
However, it is worth noting that merger and acquisition negotiations in the high-tech sector are often fraught with uncertainties and can experience multiple twists and turns before a final agreement is signed. The sources caution that while the transaction under discussion may potentially be concluded, there is also a risk of it failing.
As of now, representatives of SoftBank and Graphcore have declined to comment on the report. As negotiations progress, the market and investors will be closely watching for further details on the transaction.
【来源】https://finance.sina.com.cn/stock/usstock/c/2024-05-08/doc-inaupkmi7196377.shtml
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