Top Semiconductor Trends in 2024: A Look into the Future
A semiconductor is a material that exhibits electrical conductivity falling between a conductor and an insulator. The capacity to manipulate and adjust the conductivity of a semiconductor arises from the application of an electric field or the introduction of impurities, a technique commonly referred to as doping. This capability to regulate electrical conductivity establishes semiconductors as indispensable elements within electronics.
Commonly employed materials for semiconductors include silicon, germanium, and gallium arsenide. Among these, silicon is the most extensively utilized semiconductor material, serving as the foundation for most integrated circuits (ICs) and other electronic components.
Semiconductor Trends in 2024 Analysis
According to Gartner’s forecast, global semiconductor revenue might increase by 16.8%, reaching $624 billion in 2024. After a downturn in 2023, the semiconductor industry is expected to experience positive developments in 2024, fueled by solid demand in high-performance computing (HPC), artificial intelligence (AI), innovative infrastructure, the automotive sector, and stabilized demand in personal computers (PCs) and smartphones.
(Source: Strategic Semiconductors)
The semiconductor industry has always been at the forefront of technological advancements, driving innovation across various sectors. As we look ahead to 2024, it’s essential to understand the trends shaping the semiconductor landscape and their implications they hold for businesses and consumers. This blog post will explore vital semiconductor trends to watch out for in 2024.
1. Continued Shrinking of Transistors
Moore's Law has been a guiding principle for the semiconductor industry, stating that the number of transistors on a microchip doubles approximately every two years, resulting in increased computing power and improved performance. This trend is expected to continue in 2024, with companies pushing the boundaries of miniaturization by fabricating transistors at ever-smaller nodes. The shift to sub-5 nanometer nodes will enable more powerful and energy-efficient devices, paving the way for advancements in artificial intelligence, edge computing, and 5G.
The shrinking of transistors opens exciting possibilities for the future. It allows for integrating more functions into more minor chips, increasing functionality in smartphones, smart home devices, and wearables. Additionally, smaller transistors consume less power, enabling longer battery life and more efficient energy usage.
2. Rise of AI-Specific Chips
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is poised to revolutionize the healthcare and automotive industries. Semiconductor companies are responding to the surging demand for AI-powered applications by developing specialized chips optimized for AI workloads. In 2024, we expect more AI-specific chips with enhanced capabilities, such as efficient neural network processing, advanced inference algorithms, and improved power efficiency. These chips will enable faster and more efficient AI computations, unlocking new possibilities for intelligent systems and smart devices.
AI-specific chips are crucial for enabling AI applications on a large scale. They can significantly boost the performance of AI algorithms, allowing for real-time processing of vast amounts of data. By offloading AI computations to specialized hardware, AI applications can run more efficiently, improving response times, and enabling more complex tasks. This trend will impact various industries, including healthcare, finance, autonomous vehicles, and robotics.
3. Increased Focus on Edge Computing
Edge computing, which involves processing data closer to the source rather than sending it to the cloud, is gaining momentum as the volume of data grows exponentially. In 2024, we will witness a surge in semiconductor technologies designed to support edge computing applications. These technologies include high-performance and low-power processors, edge AI accelerators, and specialized sensors. With edge computing, data processing can be done in real time, enabling faster decision-making, reduced latency, and enhanced privacy and security.
Edge computing is increasingly vital when latency, bandwidth, or privacy concerns restrict reliance on cloud-based processing. By processing data locally, edge computing reduces the need for constant data transfer to the cloud, saving costs and improving responsiveness. This trend will significantly impact the Internet of Things (IoT), autonomous systems, smart cities, and industrial automation.
4. Advancements in Quantum Computing
While still in its nascent stages, quantum computing holds tremendous potential for solving complex problems that are beyond the reach of classical computers. In 2024, we can expect advancements in quantum computing as semiconductor companies invest heavily in developing quantum processors, qubits, and quantum algorithms. Although commercial applications may still be years away, the progress made in quantum computing will pave the way for breakthroughs in fields like drug discovery, optimization problems, and cryptography.
Quantum computing brings with it a paradigm shift in computational power, offering the potential to solve problems that were previously unsolvable. With their ability to perform complex calculations concurrently, quantum computers have the potential to revolutionize areas such as cryptography, optimization, material science, and artificial intelligence. While still in the early stages, significant progress in quantum computing will continue to attract attention and investment in 2024.
5. Growing Importance of Semiconductor Security
As the world becomes increasingly connected, ensuring the security of semiconductor devices becomes paramount. Semiconductor companies recognize the need to address security vulnerabilities and invest in secure hardware solutions. In 2024, we will witness a heightened focus on secure semiconductor architectures, hardware-rooted security features, and advancements in encryption. These developments will protect sensitive data, prevent tampering and counterfeiting, and secure critical infrastructure.
The growing interconnectedness of devices in the era of the Internet of Things (IoT) and 5G networks introduces new security challenges. Ensuring the integrity and confidentiality of data is of utmost importance to prevent breaches and protect user privacy. Semiconductor companies will continue investing in secure hardware solutions, including tamper-resistant chips, specific elements, and hardware-based encryption.
6. Rising Demand for High-Performance AI Servers and AI-Enabled Endpoint Devices
The increasing demand for AI servers and AI-enabled endpoint devices is being driven by advancements in Generative AI and large language models (LLM). This surge in innovation is prompting the deployment of high-performance GPU-based servers and accelerator cards in data centers, specifically to facilitate AI workloads’ training and inference processes. Consequently, this growing need is spurring the demand for new servers equipped with workload accelerators.
7. Growth and Innovation in the Automotive Semiconductor Market
The automotive semiconductor market is expected to maintain its growth trajectory, driven by an increasing demand for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and infotainment. According to IDC, by 2027, ADAS and infotainment are projected to constitute 30% and 20% of the automotive semiconductor market, respectively. Integrating digital technologies and electrification has heightened the need for high-performance automotive chips. Technological advancements in mobility will be propelled by innovations in next-generation computing, including quantum and edge computing, as well as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Natural Language Processing (NLP).
8. Enhancing CoWoS Capacity to Bolster AI Chip Supply
The growing demand for servers powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) has elevated the importance of TSMC’s advanced packaging technology, Chip-on-Wafer-on-Substrate (CoWoS). There is a supply-demand imbalance for CoWoS, with international IC design houses augmenting their CoWoS orders. Anticipated improvements in CoWoS capabilities in 2024, driven by the entry of additional vendors into the CoWoS supply chain, are expected to enhance the overall supply of AI chips.
9. Enhanced Demand for Advanced Processes in the Foundry Industry
In 2023, capacity utilization rates experienced a significant decline due to inventory correction and a subdued demand environment, particularly for mature process technologies above 28nm. The market rebounded towards the end of 2023, driven by increased demand from consumer electronics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and 12-inch fabrication facilities. Achievements by Intel, TSMC, and Samsung in 2024, coupled with demand stabilization, are poised to elevate the semiconductor foundry industry in the coming years.
Conclusion
The semiconductor industry is poised for significant advancements in 2024, driven by the need for more powerful, energy-efficient, and secure technologies. Continued transistor scaling, AI-specific chips, edge computing technologies, and progress in quantum computing are among the key trends shaping the semiconductor landscape. Follow this link for a retrospective look at the Top Semiconductor Innovations and Trends in 2023.
As these trends unfold, businesses and consumers can expect to benefit from innovative solutions, improved performance, and the next wave of technological breakthroughs. The future of semiconductor technology holds tremendous possibilities, and we can’t wait to see what the year 2024 has in store for us. For the latest updates or additional information, feel free to reach out to ACL Digital. Drop us a message at business@acldigital.com.