SoftBank subsidiary working with Intel to develop radical new ZAM memory is now receiving Japanese gov't subsidies — new memory designed as a lower-power HBM for AI workloads

Japan’s NEDO has selected SoftBank subsidiary SAIMEMORY’s ZAM memory project for subsidy support under its Post-5G Infrastructure Enhancement R&D Program.

SAIMEMORY is developing ZAM with Intel and RIKEN as a vertical DRAM architecture designed to improve bandwidth, density, and power efficiency for AI systems.

The goal is to offer a more scalable, lower-power alternative to HBM, which could help relieve AI data center power and memory supply bottlenecks.

The project is still early-stage, with prototypes targeted for 2027 and mass production around 2029.