ACQ2 by Acquired The Software Behind Silicon (with Synopsys Founder Aart de Geus and CEO Sassine Ghazi)
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May 6, 2024 
In this discussion, Aart de Geus, co-founder of Synopsys, and CEO Sassine Ghazi dive into the software behind the semiconductor industry. They explore how Electronic Design Automation (EDA) has evolved with AI, revolutionizing chip design. Challenges from early design limitations to modern complexities are highlighted, alongside the impact of Moore's Law. The conversation also touches on advancements in EUV lithography, custom silicon design, and the importance of corporate culture in driving innovation and social responsibility in tech.
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Sassine Ghazi's First Synopsys Encounter
- Sassine Ghazi first encountered Synopsys's tools during his PhD in VLSI design.
- He later used them at Intel, where manual verification of synthesized designs was still common.
Building Trust with Designers
- Early chip designers hesitated to trust automated tools, preferring manual control.
- Synopsys overcame this by allowing designers to examine and provide feedback, building trust and collaboration.
Moore's Law: Driven by Innovation
- Moore's Law isn't a natural law; it's driven by continuous innovation and cleverness.
- Companies like Synopsys enable this progress by pushing the boundaries of what's possible.