Apple explores using AI to accelerate chip design, while Microsoft and Amazon cut manpower as they invest in AI

As the application of generative artificial intelligence (AI) accelerates in various industries, global technology giants are accelerating the adjustment of their strategies. Apple is considering introducing AI technology into the design process of its core custom chips for its devices to improve efficiency and competitiveness; at the same time, Microsoft and Amazon have chosen to reduce their human resources structure in the context of increasing AI investment.

Johny Srouji, senior vice president of Apple hardware technology, said that the company has realized that using the most advanced tools is crucial to chip design, and generative AI has shown great potential in the electronic design automation (EDA) link to "complete more design work in a shorter time", which can greatly improve engineering productivity. Srouji pointed out that EDA companies are core partners supporting the complexity of Apple's chip research and development.

According to AppleInsider's additional report, Apple has actually used some form of AI in its chip design process for many years, and many third-party EDA companies it cooperates with have already used artificial intelligence and machine learning for circuit optimization and verification, indicating that Apple's exploration this time is an extension and deepening of the existing technology path.

While AI technology is infiltrating hardware research and development, software giants on the other side are adjusting their human resources structure. Microsoft plans to lay off thousands of employees to further streamline the team, improve the flexibility of AI projects and the efficiency of resource allocation. According to people familiar with the matter, the layoffs are mainly concentrated in departments such as sales, customer service and engineering support, reflecting that Microsoft is focusing more funds and energy on AI model development and deployment.

Similarly, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy publicly stated this week that the widespread adoption of generative AI and agent AI in the next few years will "reduce the company's dependence on manpower." Amazon has begun to deploy more advanced AI functions in its cloud services, Alexa voice assistants and retail systems, and the employee structure has also been adjusted accordingly.

Industry insiders believe that this trend means that AI is not only profoundly changing the product and service forms of technology companies, but also reshaping their operating structure and employment model. From designing chips to deploying cloud services, AI is driving the entire technology industry to evolve in a more automated and efficient direction.