The Apple executive stated the potential of AI in accelerating chip design.
The company expects to increase productivity through new EDA tools.
The transition of Mac to Apple Silicon in 2020 became the biggest risk without a backup plan.
The corporation #Apple is considering implementing generative artificial intelligence in the design processes of its chips that underpin the iPhone, Mac, and Vision Pro. This was reported by Senior Vice President of Hardware Technologies Johnny Srouji during an award ceremony at the Belgian research center Imec.
The top manager emphasized that the success of #Apple in chip creation — from A4 to the latest models — is largely related to the use of advanced design automation (EDA) tools. Now the company is betting on AI as a way to increase the volume of design tasks with less time spent.
In the EDA design market, Cadence and Synopsys dominate — both players are actively integrating AI into their products. According to Srouji, such partners are critically important for supporting Apple's complex chip initiatives.
The company sees "huge potential" in generative AI methods for improving performance in the chip sector. This is especially relevant given the increasing complexity of systems and the growing demand for custom solutions, noted the corporation's representative.
Moreover, the top manager reminded that in 2020, Apple took a radical step and switched from Intel processors to its own ARM chips in the Mac lineup.
At the same time, the company allegedly consciously abandoned the "Plan B" — had the transition failed, Apple would have had no backup strategy. This decision was accompanied by a massive restructuring of the entire software infrastructure, the corporation's vice president emphasized.
"We went all in. There was no backup plan," Srouji stated.
He added that it is such strategic risks that allow Apple to remain a technology leader. According to him, the company intends to continue to be at the forefront of technological progress.
