The global semiconductor industry is poised for a transformative era, with projections estimating that revenues could soar to an impressive $1 trillion by 2030. This optimistic outlook was emphasized at the 21st China International Semiconductor Exposition, where industry leaders gathered to share their insights into current trends and future opportunities.

As the industry evolves, a consensus has emerged around the concept of "smartification," with Artificial Intelligence (AI) recognized as the primary catalyst driving this changeThe RISC-V architecture is also expected to play a pivotal role in reshaping the computational framework of the AI era, bringing exciting new possibilities for innovation.

The movement toward intelligent solutions has become a hallmark of the entire sectorLiu Weiping, Vice Chairman of the China Semiconductor Industry Association and Chairman of BGI Tianjin, highlighted the revolutionary impacts that AI is having across various applications

Businesses must adapt to this shift by comprehending the implications of AI and developing products and services that align with these intelligent trends.

According to Wu Mingxia, General Manager of Micron China, the rapid advancements in digital transformation and generative AI are unlocking fresh opportunities for the semiconductor industryThis surge in technological progress is consequently fueling a heightened demand for memory and storage solutions, thus accelerating the growth of the sector.

AI is identified as the driving force behind this industrial expansionAs global demand for semiconductors continues to rise, particularly in sectors like AI data centers, smart vehicles, and the Internet of Things (IoT), projections indicate that by 2030, more than 70% of chips will incorporate AI elementsLiu Weiping asserted that the global semiconductor market is anticipated to grow by 15-20% this year, surpassing $600 billion in total value

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The industry's ongoing recovery, following two tumultuous years of inventory adjustments, is indicative of a broader resurgence.

Experts predict that the semiconductor market will witness a robust rebound in the latter half of 2024. Ji Liyun, Chief Operating Officer of the Global Semiconductor Alliance Asia-Pacific, estimated a revenue growth of approximately 21% this year, particularly in high-performance computing (HPC), AI, and memory segmentsNotably, investments in IT are expected to reach an astounding $15 trillion from 2025 to 2028, with the value of AI platforms exceeding $300 billion by the end of this decadeAdditionally, it is projected that AI will contribute around $19.9 trillion to the global economy by 2030.

Song Jiqiang, Vice President of Intel Research Institute and Director of Intel China Research Institute, pointed out that the rapid expansion of parameters in large language models is generating exceptional performance levels

For these advancements to effectively penetrate various industries, collaboration among stakeholders is essential.

Looking ahead, Song envisions that AI will extend beyond mere large model training; it will integrate into everyday devices including smartphones, personal computers, hardware designs, operating systems, and cloud accelerators, thereby creating a comprehensive AI-enabled ecosystemIntel has reported that its global AI PC shipment has reached 20 million units, predicting that by 2030, all PCs will possess AI capabilities.

The emergence of RISC-V is poised to significantly alter the landscape of computing architecture in the AI ageMeng Jianyi, Chairman of the RISC-V Association and CEO of Zhihe Computing, believes that the RISC-V ecosystem is rapidly maturing and will fundamentally shift the market structure of chip architecture, establishing itself as a critical foundation for computational innovation.

Chinese Academy of Engineering Fellow Ni Guangnan emphasized that chip technology is the cornerstone of information technology, and promoting the open-source RISC-V initiative can help strengthen the entire integrated circuit industry chain, facilitating the development of new productive forces

The global chip industry is witnessing a resurgence in innovation, with open-source RISC-V creating new opportunities for collaboration between Chinese and global developersChina has emerged as a significant player in this open-source movement, fostering worldwide advancements.

According to Meng, RISC-V has four primary areas for development: first, innovations in architecture specifically designed for AI, amplifying customization for contemporary application requirements; second, the performance of RISC-V processors will meet mainstream expectations; third, the functionality of general-purpose RISC-V CPUs will become increasingly comprehensive; and fourth, RISC-V's capabilities in AI acceleration and various applications will be substantially enhanced based on Vector and Matrix technologies.

In Ni Guangnan's view, China should leverage its unique national advantages, including its vast market and talent pool, to ardently support open-source innovation