Tenstorrent, a Silicon Valley-based AI chip startup, has signed a US$50 million agreement to train 200 Japanese chip designers in the US.

This partnership with Japan’s Leading-edge Semiconductor Technology Center is part of Japan’s broader efforts to strengthen its semiconductor industry.

Japan’s share of the global chip market has declined to less than ten percent from a once-dominant position.

Starting in April 2025, Japanese engineers will collaborate with Tenstorrent’s experienced team, including former designers from Apple and Arm Holdings, to develop AI chips using RISC-V technology.

Recent semiconductor developments