Synopsys Enhances Semiconductor Design with AI, Streamlining Workflows and Education Initiatives
- Synopsys.ai™ Copilot enhances semiconductor design efficiency, reducing workflow durations from days to hours or minutes.
- New generative AI features automate tasks, cutting ramp-up time for new engineers by 30% and boosting productivity.
- Synopsys collaborates with GlobalFoundries to provide hands-on chip design education, shaping future engineers for the industry.
Innovating Semiconductor Design with AI: Synopsys Unveils Enhanced Capabilities
Synopsys Inc. is revolutionizing semiconductor design with the recent expansion of its Synopsys.ai™ Copilot generative AI capabilities. Announced on September 3, 2025, these advancements aim to significantly streamline engineering workflows and reduce development timelines amidst a growing workforce shortage in the semiconductor industry. By harnessing the power of reinforcement learning, Synopsys.ai enables semiconductor teams to tackle increasingly complex designs and optimize silicon performance, ultimately expediting time to market. Early access customers have already reported transformative improvements in design quality and productivity, with workflow durations slashed from days to hours, and in some cases, from hours to mere minutes.
The new features introduced in the Synopsys.ai suite include an array of assistive generative AI capabilities, such as knowledge and workflow assistant applications. These innovations are designed to bolster the productivity of engineering teams by automating time-consuming tasks. Notably, teams using the knowledge assistant have experienced a 30% reduction in ramp-up time for new engineers, demonstrating the potential of AI to enhance workforce efficiency. Tasks like documentation searches and script generation, which previously consumed significant time, can now be completed in a fraction of that time, allowing engineers to focus on high-value opportunities and accelerate technological progress in semiconductor design.
Sanjay Bali, Senior Vice President of Strategy and Product Management at Synopsys, highlights the transformative impact of AI in chip design, emphasizing its role in fostering innovation for advanced System on Chips (SoCs). The introduction of the workflow assistant application doubles the efficiency of script solution times, further exemplifying how Synopsys.ai Copilot is not only improving existing processes but also reshaping the future landscape of semiconductor engineering.
In addition to its advancements in AI-driven design tools, Synopsys collaborates with GlobalFoundries on a strategic initiative to enhance semiconductor education through a 'chip design to tapeout' curriculum. This pilot program involves over 40 universities globally and aims to provide hands-on access to real-world chip design and manufacturing. By utilizing Synopsys' electronic design automation tools and GlobalFoundries' manufacturing capabilities, the program lowers the cost barrier for custom silicon, enabling academic institutions to transform theoretical designs into functional silicon chips.
This collaboration not only equips students with essential practical experience but also aims to cultivate the next generation of engineers critical to the future of the semiconductor industry. Dr. Patrick Haspel from Synopsys underscores the significance of this partnership, positioning it as a vital step towards fostering innovation and advancing skills in an increasingly competitive field.
