By Zhuo Li, 57th DAC General Chair, and Harry Foster, 57th DAC Vice ChairAs
the industry heads deeper into 2020, it’s obvious that the research and
application of AI/ML architectures and solutions will continue to
accelerate. In fact, a simple metric to support this claim can be
measured by examining the number of AI/ML architecture and system design
papers that were recently submitted for review to the 2020 Design
Automation Conference (DAC). In 2018, 56 AI/ML architecture and system
papers were submitted for review. That number grew to 92 submitted
papers in 2019, and a jaw-dropping 194 submitted papers in 2020. In
other words, AL/MI architecture and system design research is growing at
an 86 percent CAGR! Perhaps this should not be too big of a surprise
considering that McKinsey & Company recently reported that the AI
semiconductor total available market will grow at 5x the rate compared
to the non-AI semiconductor market. But AL/ML research wasn’t limited to
only hardware architectures for DAC submissions. We also saw impressive
growth of AI/ML algorithms and methodologies applied to traditional EDA
problems, ranging from lithography hot spot detection to physical
design and implementation.
Today, cloud services have
matured through the rapid adoption of AI solutions driven by the need
for voice and image recognition solutions, as well as near-real-time
fraud detection for business transactions. But there are many emerging
problems beyond the enterprise that will require AI solutions, such as
the need to optimize spectrum bandwidth dynamically for efficient 5G
operation, analyzing humongous set of data for immediate risk analysis
and response for cyber security, as well as achieving higher levels of
autonomy in automotive. At any rate, AI/ML will be a key component in
this year’s DAC program. And in terms of design, we have added a new AI
Pavilion to the exhibit floor to complement our RISC-V Pavilion and
Design Infrastructure Alley. Bottom line? This year will be remembered
as a pivotal year in terms of AI/ML research and solutions related to
the microelectronics industry. Keep planning, stay healthy – 19 weeks
before the 57th DAC in San Francisco, CA.