What changes will semiconductor design have in the future?

There are also some obvious trends in the industry. For example, PWC predicts that by 2022, the AI-related semiconductor market will reach 30 billion U.S. dollars, which is equivalent to nearly 50% of the AGR. At the same time, there are still many places for the traditional SoC. It is expected that by 2022, memory chips will continue to maintain the largest market share, and chips will occupy a dominant position in the next few decades.

New technologies and new participants:
Other factors that shape the future of semiconductors also come from the direction of technology, such as the emerging focus on open source hardware. As this trend develops, it will change the organization's perception of design and will encourage a more collaborative and partnership approach to development.

The Internet of Things is driving mass demand for more cost-effective semiconductors. Likewise, 5G enables bandwidth to eventually support a wide range of interconnected infrastructure, such as for transportation, and combines input from multiple API connection sources. In order to achieve the required scale, standards-based reusable and sharable IP will become the key to meeting design requirements, but this approach must support distribution and collaboration, while also meeting security and safety requirements. Open source may be the key to achieving this scale.

The nature of industry participants is also changing, such as the introduction of vertically integrated systems and non-traditional semiconductor companies, who may be more willing to create their own equipment and platforms to achieve better control. A good example is Apple's M1, a processor designed specifically for the Mac, which further promotes their commitment to build key features in-house. This adds another interesting aspect to the industry, increasing the source of competition and innovation.