Arm Holdings announced an expansion of its "Flexible Access" licensing program on October 21, 2025. It now includes access to the latest Armv9 platform, optimized for edge AI tasks. According to Reuters, this initiative allows startups and small developers to access Arms chip design tools and training resources virtually for free during the development phase. Fees are only charged upon transition to commercial production. The program aims to lower the barrier to entry for innovators and stimulate the creation of diverse AI solutions that run locally on devices—from smart cameras to industrial sensors. Program participants already include companies like Raspberry Pi and Hailo. This move strengthens Arms competitive position in the edge AI market, where it rivals Intel and Nvidia.
Arm Expands Licensing Program to Accelerate On-Device AI Development
