Apple Inc. is exploring the use of generative artificial intelligence to speed up the design of its custom chips, which are central to the performance of its devices. This revelation was made by Johny Srouji, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Hardware Technologies, during a recent speech in Belgium.
The tech executive was being honoured by Imec, a leading semiconductor research institute, when he detailed Apple’s chip journey from the iPhone A4 processor to the advanced chips powering the Mac and Vision Pro headset.
Srouji emphasized that Apple has always relied on the most advanced tools available, especially electronic design automation (EDA) software from major players like Cadence Design Systems and Synopsys, both of which are rapidly integrating AI into their platforms.
He described EDA firms as vital partners in managing the complex process of chip design, noting that generative AI offers significant potential to improve efficiency and productivity.
The Apple executive also revealed that embracing bold moves without fallback strategies has been instrumental in the company’s hardware evolution. He cited the shift from Intel chips to Apple Silicon for Macs in 2020 as a defining moment. According to Srouji, the company undertook the transition without any contingency plan, relying on an all-out software and hardware push to make the shift successful.
Apple’s interest in generative AI for chip design reflects broader trends in the tech industry, where leading firms are leveraging AI to refine engineering processes and reduce development timelines. With EDA companies enhancing their tools with AI capabilities, Apple appears poised to integrate these advancements into its long-term chip design strategy, potentially shaping the future of its hardware ecosystem.