Apple is exploring the use of generative artificial intelligence to enhance the efficiency of designing the custom chips that power its devices, according to statements made by the company’s top hardware technology executive last month.
Johny Srouji, Apple’s senior vice president of hardware technologies, shared these insights during a speech in Belgium while receiving an award from Imec, a prominent independent semiconductor research and development organization that collaborates with major chip manufacturers worldwide.
In his address, a recording of which was obtained by Reuters, Srouji provided a retrospective on Apple’s evolution in custom chip development, starting from the launch of the A4 chip in the iPhone back in 2010 to the latest chips that power Mac desktops and the Vision Pro headset.
He emphasized the importance of utilizing state-of-the-art tools for chip design, particularly the advanced chip design software provided by electronic design automation (EDA) companies.
The leading firms in this field, Cadence Design Systems and Synopsys, are actively integrating artificial intelligence into their offerings to meet industry demands.
“EDA companies are essential in tackling the complexities of our chip design,” Srouji noted. “Generative AI techniques hold great promise for completing design tasks more swiftly, which could significantly enhance productivity.”
Srouji also highlighted another vital lesson learned by Apple in the realm of chip design: the necessity of taking significant risks without hesitating.
When Apple made the pivotal transition of its Mac computers from Intel processors to its own silicon in 2020, the company opted not to develop contingency plans should the transition fail.
“Switching the Mac to Apple Silicon was a monumental decision for us. There were no backup plans, no alternative strategies, and we committed fully, which included a massive software initiative,” Srouji stated.
© Thomson Reuters 2025
© Thomson Reuters 2025
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