Synopsys高管称拟与中国大模型实验室合作开发AI芯片设计工具，但仅为探索意向、无具体伙伴或合同

PALO ALTO, California -- Chip design software leader Synopsys says it is looking to help Chinese companies develop chips faster with an AI version of its tools by working with large language model (LLM) builders in China, despite Washington's tightening controls on AI and semiconductor exports.
The software maker announced a multi-year deal with ChatGPT creator OpenAI on Sept. 30 to develop GPT-Synopsys, a specialized AI model that automates and speeds up the chip design process.
Ravi Subramanian, Synopsys' chief product management officer, told Nikkei Asia that the company will look into exploring partnerships with Chinese AI labs to develop similar tools for China.
The company has come under pressure in recent years, with AI seen as potentially replacing the traditional electronic design automation (EDA) software that has been its main strength.
But at its annual investor day on Sept. 30, the California-based company said it expected fiscal 2027 revenue to grow 15% year on year to $11.15 billion, thanks to AI being incorporated into its own tools.
The company's partnership with OpenAI, together with a deal worth more than $1 billion with Amazon to help the world's biggest cloud service provider design its own customized data center chip, are an indication of how it is trying to turn AI from a threat into new revenue streams.
Chipmakers needed new AI-enabled chip design tools, such as the one codeveloped by Synopsys and OpenAI, to keep up with the increasing demand for AI training and deployment that required faster updates to more powerful chips, argued Subramanian.
"We are seeing a rapidly accelerating pace of chips, meaning complete a chip design within one year ... and we are seeing an increasing number of chips," he said.
OpenAI will supply the model and up to $200 million worth of computing power under their arrangement, while Synopsys supplies the tools and chip design expertise. They will each take a share of revenue as customers use the service.
In one example, a customer could hand over a block of hardware code and ask for a version that meets a specific power target. The GPT model and Synopsys' software then work together on it.
Subramanian said it was "possible" to offer a similar service for the China market, but with a different LLM partner, with OpenAI having blocked access for users in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau for a number of years.
Synopsys already faces its own set of restrictions from the U.S. government on doing business in China, including limits on exports of chip design tools to companies on the so-called entity list.
"There are a set of U.S. government rules that we have to adhere to, and whatever we do, we will adhere to those in terms of expanding whatever we're doing," Subramanian said.
For the three months ended July 31, Synopsys reported revenue of $255.5 million for China, up 3% on the year and accounting for about 10% of its total revenue.
"We think China has its own dynamic for growth," said Subramanian, adding that a boom in physical AI, such as humanoids and other robotics technology, is offering more opportunities for Synopsys to grow in the country.