SoftBank’s Arm to Open Chip-Design Training Facility in South Korea
GeokHub
Contributing Writer
SEOUL — Dec 5 (GeokHub) Arm Holdings — the chip-design unit majority-owned by SoftBank — has signed an agreement with the South Korean government to establish a dedicated chip-design training school. The initiative aims to strengthen South Korea’s semiconductor and AI industry by addressing gaps in system-semiconductor and fabless chip design capabilities.
Under the deal, the so-called “Arm School” is expected to train around 1,400 high-level chip-design specialists between 2026 and 2030. The program will combine education, research collaboration, and technology transfer, targeting master’s- and doctoral-level students as well as experienced industry engineers.
SoftBank’s involvement underscores its long-term strategy in AI and semiconductors. Company executives say rising global demand for chips — driven by AI development, data centers, and next-generation electronics — makes building local design talent a priority.
For South Korea, the move marks an important pivot: rather than rely solely on manufacturing, the country seeks to climb the semiconductor value chain by boosting internal design expertise. With Arm’s global IP portfolio and SoftBank’s backing, the initiative could reshape the region’s chip-design landscape in the years ahead.
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