Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the evolution of CPU architectures, emphasizing the coexistence of multiple architectures within single systems to handle diverse workloads, particularly in the context of the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the industry [2][3]. Group 1: Evolution of CPU Architectures - Historically, x86 architecture, developed by Intel and AMD, has been the dominant choice for PCs and general servers, but it now coexists with RISC architectures, often within the same system or SoC [5][7]. - Arm architecture has become the leading processor architecture across various fields, including mobile devices and IoT, due to its efficiency and extensive hardware and software ecosystem [5][6]. - RISC-V, an open-source ISA, is gaining traction but still lags in software support compared to Arm and x86, with an expected shipment of around 1 billion cores in 2024, primarily for deep embedded applications [8]. Group 2: Market Dynamics and Trends - The demand for performance efficiency driven by AI is prompting companies to develop diverse CPU architectures and configurations, with AMD and Intel creating different performance levels of x86 CPUs for servers [11]. - Arm is expanding its ecosystem by introducing a complete pre-validated compute subsystem and fostering innovation among industry leaders to develop custom Arm-compatible CPU designs [11]. - The semiconductor industry is transitioning towards heterogeneous computing solutions, where multiple CPU architectures will increasingly work together within the same chip design, reflecting a shift in focus from which architecture will prevail to how they can collaborate effectively [11].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the transformative impact of RISC-V, an open instruction set architecture (ISA), on the semiconductor industry, highlighting its potential to reshape the competitive landscape traditionally dominated by a few tech giants [1][2]. Group 1: RISC-V Overview - RISC-V is characterized as an open, public, and royalty-free ISA that allows individuals and organizations to freely use, modify, and expand upon it, contrasting with other ISAs that have higher barriers to entry [5][6]. - The RISC-V International organization plays a crucial role in promoting technical collaboration among member companies and fostering ecosystem development through standardized frameworks and community support [6][18]. Group 2: Market Potential and Growth - According to SHD Group's report, the shipment of RISC-V-based SoC chips is expected to exceed 20 billion units by 2031, with market penetration projected to rise from 5.9% in 2024 to 25.7% [11]. - RISC-V's architecture is being applied across various sectors, including IoT, automotive electronics, and data centers, showcasing its versatility and efficiency [14][16]. Group 3: Technological Advancements - The introduction of the RVA23 specification has unified the core functionalities of 64-bit application processors, accelerating RISC-V's entry into the general computing domain and ensuring software compatibility across different vendors [9][10]. - RISC-V's capabilities in AI are highlighted, with NVIDIA integrating multiple RISC-V cores into its GPUs, and a projected shipment of RISC-V cores reaching 1 billion units in 2024 [14]. Group 4: Community and Innovation - The development of RISC-V is significantly driven by community engagement, with nearly 300 development boards distributed and multiple online training courses offered to foster innovation [18][19]. - The open accessibility of RISC-V specifications lowers the barriers for small and medium-sized enterprises, promoting a vibrant ecosystem of innovation [18]. Group 5: Future Outlook - RISC-V is expected to expand its influence beyond embedded devices into high-performance computing, enterprise AI processors, and even aerospace applications, marking a significant evolution from its academic origins [21][23]. - The upcoming RISC-V Automotive Conference 2025 will focus on the development trends and application prospects of RISC-V in the smart automotive sector [23].