Apple is investigating the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) to speed up the development of its custom chips, according to Johny Srouji, the company’s Senior Vice President of Hardware Technologies. The revelation came during a private speech last month in Belgium, where Srouji accepted an award from Imec, an independent semiconductor research and development organization collaborating with major chipmakers worldwide.
In remarks reviewed by Reuters, Srouji outlined Apple’s evolution in chip design, beginning with the A4 chip introduced in the iPhone in 2010 and progressing to the latest processors powering Mac desktops and the Vision Pro headset. He emphasized the critical role that advanced electronic design automation (EDA) tools have played in managing the increasing complexity of Apple’s chip architectures. Leading EDA companies such as Cadence Design Systems and Synopsys have recently incorporated AI capabilities into their software suites.
“EDA companies are incredibly critical in supporting our chip design complexities,” Srouji said. “Generative AI techniques hold great potential for speeding up design processes, allowing us to achieve more in less time. This could provide a substantial boost to productivity.”
Srouji also reflected on a key lesson Apple learned during its bold transition from Intel processors to Apple Silicon chips for its Mac lineup in 2020. The move was undertaken without a fallback plan or a gradual rollout, signaling a full commitment to the new architecture.
“Moving the Mac to Apple Silicon was a monumental bet for us,” Srouji stated. “There was no backup plan, no ‘split-the-lineup’ strategy — we went all in, which included a massive software effort to support the transition.”
Apple’s decisive shift to Apple Silicon has already yielded significant benefits, enhancing device performance, energy efficiency, and security while granting the company greater control over its hardware-software integration—advantages that competitors like Microsoft and Google continue to pursue. Building on the success of its M1 and M2 chips, Apple’s chip design teams are now leveraging AI-driven innovations to power upcoming products, including the anticipated AR/VR headset and next-generation Macs.
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