Arm explained how the path from AI infrastructure to system-level convergence is transforming the data center market. With the role of the CPU extending from coordinating computing to orchestrating, networking, memory, and security, technology from ARM is identified as being at the center of such a shift.
CPUs at the Heart of Scalable AI Infrastructure
In other words, with the exponential increase in size and complexity of today’s AI workloads, efficient and tightly integrated computing is being called for now more than ever. Traditional architectures are giving way to a new generation of AI platforms-purpose-designed platforms that take compute, acceleration, storage, networking, and security into a harmonious whole for high performance at scale, flexibility, and fast deployment. At the heart of this shift lies an Arm-based processor, orchestrating data movement, maintaining reliability, and unlocking real-world value from AI systems.
Arm’s editorial notes that “the only way to scale AI is with comprehensive system design,” emphasizing that while accelerators deliver raw computing power, CPUs remain essential in turning that compute into operational performance across distributed AI deployments.
Industry Validation Through Extreme System Co-Design
The recent unveiling of the Vera Rubin platform at CES 2026 a cohesive AI supercomputer architecture showcases this trend. Designed to operate as a fully co-designed rack-scale system, Vera Rubin integrates multiple hardware elements, including Arm-based CPUs and DPUs, to support diverse workloads from training and inference to reasoning and agentic AI. This approach dramatically lowers cost per token and increases performance efficiency for large-scale AI deployments.
In the words of NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang, the industry is entering an era of “extreme co-design,” a philosophy that aligns compute, networking, and memory systems from the silicon level upward. Arm technology is central to enabling this level of architectural collaboration while preserving a broad ecosystem of software compatibility and developer support.
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Arm-Powered Innovation at Scale
Two key system-on-chips (SoCs) form the backbone of these next-generation AI platforms:
• Vera CPU: A purpose-built processor optimized for large-scale AI environments, focusing on efficient data movement, orchestration, and decision-centric workflows. Compared to its predecessors, it delivers significant improvements in bandwidth and performance per core.
• BlueField-4 DPU: Building on Arm Neoverse technology, this DPU elevates data processing and security functions by incorporating server-class CPU capabilities expanding core counts and boosting application-level performance for networking and storage acceleration.
Both SoCs benefit from full compatibility with the Arm Neoverse software ecosystem, enabling rapid deployment across cloud, edge, and on-premises infrastructures while leveraging the experience of more than 22 million developers.
A Shared Architecture for the Future
The industry is converging on a common architectural approach that combines specially designed accelerators and integrated networking fabric with scalable and intelligent CPU architectures. Such a trend is crucial for the requirements of the next generation of artificial intelligence applications and services.
As AI systems increase in scale and complexity, Arm and its partner ecosystem continue to drive innovation across every layer of the data center stack, underscoring Arm’s expanding footprint in converged AI infrastructure.
