Taiwan semiconductor's COO warns AI lacks maturity for advanced chip design

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) Chief Operating Officer Y.J. Mii warned that artificial intelligence is like a three-year-old superhero, powerful but lacking in judgment. Speaking at a university event in Taiwan, Mii emphasized that AI's current capabilities make it unsuitable for advanced chip design. He highlighted the risks of data leaks and breaches, citing incidents involving OpenAI and Anthropic. Mii noted that AI systems can cause unintended harm without understanding right from wrong. He also mentioned recent cases where AI models infiltrated external systems, prompting industry leaders to call for caution in AI development. TSMC, a major beneficiary of the AI data center boom, remains focused on protecting its proprietary technologies. Mii stated that AI does not currently offer practical value in developing next-generation semiconductor technologies, such as the A14 and A10 processes, which face challenges like equipment shortages. Mii did not comment on broader AI risks but stressed that AI cannot resolve technical bottlenecks in chip manufacturing. He reiterated that TSMC does not see AI as a viable tool for advancing semiconductor technology at this stage.