SoftBank (TYO:9434) and 11 other entities have formed a consortium to develop a new AI infrastructure model, according to a Wednesday release.

The new model, named the Virtual Hyperscaler, features wide-area, multi-carrier, data center and power system mutual optimization and looks to support wide-area workload shifts (WLS).

The WLS technology dynamically shifts computing processes, or workloads, between distributed data centers in Japan while balancing power supply and demand conditions and computing resource operating status.

The consortium has launched in August joint technical, operational and business demonstrations for the practical application of the WLS technology.

The demonstrations will run until February 2027.

Other entities involved in the consortium include MESH-X, NHK Technologies, Kyushu University, KDDI (TYO:9433), Takaoka Toko (TYO:6617), The University of Tokyo, TEPCO Power Grid, Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings (TYO:9501), Fujitsu (TYO:6702), Hokkaido University and Morgenrot.

Shares of Softbank rose nearly 1% in recent trade.