The semiconductor industry is at an inflection point. As systems become more intelligent, connected, and software-defined, chip design is growing too complex for humans alone. Advances in electronic design automation are reshaping how silicon is built and verified, enabling faster, smarter, and more reliable innovation from data centers to edge devices.

How AI is Changing EDA and Chip Design

In the latest episode of Tech Transformed, host John Santaferraro speaks with Dr. Thomas Andersen, Vice President of AI and Silicon Innovation at Synopsys, about the real-world impact of AI in chip design. Together, they explore how AI and automation are redefining EDA, how generative AI is accelerating design efficiency, and what the Synopsys acquisition of Ansys means for the future of simulation and system-level integration.

As Dr. Andersen explains, “AI is transforming EDA. Synopsys leads in silicon design, and the Ansys acquisition expands our capabilities across multiphysics simulation and system optimization.”

From Silicon to Systems

The integration of complex hardware and software has become one of the greatest challenges in semiconductor and OEM innovation. Traditional sequential development, where software waits for hardware, often causes delays and missed targets. Advances in EDA tools and virtual prototyping now enable engineers to initiate software design months before silicon is finalised, thereby accelerating bring-up and enhancing collaboration across the supply chain.

“Generative AI enables more efficient design,” says Andersen. “AI reshapes engineering workflows, but human expertise remains essential.”

The result is faster time-to-market, enhanced design verification, and greater overall system reliability.

Listen to the full conversation on the Tech Transformed podcast to discover how Synopsys is advancing electronic design automation, improving engineering workflows and chip design from silicon to systems.

For more insights follow Synopsys:

Takeaways

  • AI is transforming EDA and chip design by automating complex processes.
  • Synopsys is a leader in silicon-to-systems design, providing critical software for chipmakers.
  • The acquisition of Ansys expands Synopsys' capabilities beyond EDA.
  • Generative AI is enabling more efficient and adaptable chip design.
  • AI-powered observability is reshaping engineering workflows.
  • The complexity of chip design has increased, requiring advanced tools and automation.
  • Human expertise remains essential in chip design, despite advances in automation.
  • EDA tools simulate chip designs, reducing the need for physical prototypes.
  • Agent engineers are the future, automating tasks traditionally done by humans.
  • The integration of AI in EDA is making the process faster, smarter, and more collaborative.

Chapters

  • 00:00:00 Introduction to EDA and AI
  • 00:03:00 Synopsys and Its Role in Chip Design
  • 00:09:00 The Impact of AI on EDA
  • 00:15:00 Generative AI and Automation
  • 00:21:00 Ansys Acquisition and Future Prospects

About Synopsys

Synopsys, Inc. (Nasdaq: SNPS) is the leader in engineering solutions from silicon to systems, enabling customers to rapidly innovate AI-powered products. We deliver industry-leading silicon design, IP, simulation and analysis solutions, and design services. We partner closely with our customers across a wide range of industries to maximize their R&D capability and productivity, powering innovation today that ignites the ingenuity of tomorrow. Learn more at www.synopsys.com.