Johny Srouji, Apple’s top chip executive revealed recently in a private event that the company is exploring the use of generative AI to help speed up the design process for its custom silicon.Here’s what he said, as reported by .‘More design done in less time’ In a recent speech at an event hosted by the Interuniversity Microelectronics Centre () in Belgium, where he received an award, Apple SVP of Hardware Technologies said the company sees “high potential” in using AI as part of its chip design workflow.
According to Reuters, which had access to a recording of the speech, Srouji remarked that AI-assisted tools could offer “a huge productivity boost” by letting Apple get “more design work done in less time.” Apple already leans heavily on industry-standard EDA (Electronic Design Automation) tools from companies like Cadence and Synopsys to handle the complexity of its chip development process.Both vendors have been racing to bake generative AI features into their platforms, helping customers automate and speed up layout and verification tasks that would traditionally require manual engineering work.Given that both Cadence and Synopsys have long collaborated with on advanced chip research, the event offered a fitting (and yes, PR-friendly) stage for Srouji to underscore Apple’s own ambitions in the AI-for-silicon space, and the important role its partners play in that effort.
Still, that’s good news.Apple Silicon transition had no backup plan Srouji’s speech also offered a rare look behind the scenes on how Apple approached its historic transition from Intel-based Macs to Apple Silicon back in 2020.He described it as a “huge bet” with no fallback option: In the end, Srouji’s remarks don’t come as a big surprise, as other companies have also been exploring how generative AI could accelerate silicon design.
However, as Apple was admittedly caught flat-footed with the public-facing possibilities offered by generative AI, it’s encouraging to see the company exploring how recent advancements in the technology can also improve its internal engineering workflows. You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day.Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop.
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