High Tech

Semiconductor Tech Vision: Essential, reimagined

June 16, 2020

RESEARCH REPORT

In brief

This report uncovers the definition of the intersection between people and technology.
Innovation across the entire semiconductor ecosystem continues to be a critical component.
6,000 businesses and IT executives worldwide weighed in on the Accenture Technology Vision 2020 report.
Read on and download the infographic to uncover what this means for semiconductor companies.

The I in experience: People and technology together

Bringing together digital interactions with human attention are what successful semiconductor companies are doing to design a collaborative digital experience. An evolution of individual expectations, everyone wants an up to date digital interaction, but quickly become disappointed as most companies use legacy methods.

Technology Vision Realized: Intel’s first purpose-built ASICs, the Nervana Neural Network Processors (NPP), bring the future of AI to cloud and datacenter customers.

74%

of semiconductor executives are wanting to drive human-centric digital experiences in the semiconductor industry.

AI & ME: Unlocking AIs potential to transform business

Speeding up the automation of basic tasks in existing workflows have leaders wanting to successfully adopt AI tools and practices. But this is now the requirement. AI’s true potential lies in using it as a collaboration tool with humans: to not only efficiently execute tasks but also transform what businesses do.

Technology Vision Realized: StreamMosaic’s predictive maintenance approach improves yield and quality, and optimize equipment utilization, for semiconductor manufacturing.

79%

of semiconductor executives believe in collaboration between humans and machines is critical to future innovations.

87%

of semiconductor companies report piloting or adopting AI in one or more business units.

13%

of semiconductor organizations are preparing their workforce for collaborative, interactive, explainable AI-based systems.

Essential Reimaged - 85% of semiconductor executives acknowledge that technology has become an inextricable part of the human experience.

The dilemma of smart things

Becoming a true partner to customers in the post digital era
Everything is connected. The internet of things (IoT) market is growing to 75.44 billion connected devices by 2025, with a projected market value of $1.1 trillion by 2026.

Businesses need to confront the “beta burden,” and the unintended consequences that occur when smart tech – smart products, and the experiences they contain – are constantly in flux. Companies can now change the functionality of smart products or reconfigure their ecosystem over time. But they have to make sure that the customer experience remains consistent and supported throughout all these changes. Customers expect nothing less.

Technology Vision Realized: Micron unveils first silicon-based SaaS platform for IoT edge devices. The platform enables installed secure flash devices to be activated and managed at the edge through a cloud-based service.

69%

of semiconductor executives think the industry is moving toward more variety in ownership models for connected products.

Robots in the wild: The next frontier

Companies are realizing the benefits of robotics in controlled spaces, from lower production costs to higher productivity and increased capacity for analytics. Businesses are now looking at the next frontier for robot technology: the open world.

Advances in sensors, speech recognition and computer vision are combining with lower hardware costs to make robot technology more accessible for the semiconductor industry, and the rollout of 5G networks is set to unlock new opportunities outside of controlled environments. But finding the right way to introduce robots into the world includes challenges around talent, questions of human-computer interaction and a global testbed.

Technology Vision Realized: KUKA’S first-of-its-kind wafer handling solution automated the transfer and handling of semiconductor cassettes from a single source.

48%

robots will be used in uncontrolled environments within the next two years in semiconductor organizations.

Innovation DNA: Companies are unique

Each relies on a code that helps determine how it will grow. Similar to human DNA, which stacks chemical building blocks, a company’s innovation DNA is made up of three building blocks: maturing digital technology that is more commoditized and accessible; scientific advancements that push the boundaries of industries and inspire change; and emerging DARQ (distributed ledgers, artificial intelligence, extended reality and quantum computing) technologies that are poised to scale rapidly. Where companies differ however, is that they can cultivate their DNA to drive business transformation.

Today, leaders are weaving these technological building blocks together to set a course for their company’s future. For businesses, the path forward begins with a renewed focus on technology transformation as they find their unique combination of building blocks and develop their innovation DNA.

Technology Vision Realized: Intel is expanding global innovation with three new IOT Ignition Labs. In addition to the launch of a joint AI and 5G Innovation Lab with Baidu.

74%

of semiconductor executives say the stakes for getting innovation “right” have never been higher.

54%

of semiconductor executives believe rapid advancements in modern technologies and scientific innovations are poised to disrupt the semiconductor industry.