Apple (AAPL, Financial) is exploring the use of generative artificial intelligence to accelerate the customization of its core chips, as disclosed by Johny Srouji, Apple's VP of Hardware Technologies, in a recent private speech. The announcement was made when Srouji received an award from Imec, a notable semiconductor research group associated with major chip manufacturers worldwide.
Srouji traced Apple's journey in chip development, from the 2010 debut of the A4 chip for iPhones to the latest chips for Mac desktops and the Vision Pro headset. He emphasized the importance of employing cutting-edge tools, such as the latest chip design software from electronic design automation (EDA) companies. Industry leaders like Cadence Design Systems are already integrating AI into their products.
Srouji highlighted that generative AI could significantly boost productivity by enabling faster completion of design tasks. He also shared that one of Apple's key lessons in chip design was to take bold risks. When Apple transitioned its Mac computers to its chips from Intel's in 2020, it had no contingency plans, putting all its resources into the transition.
