Forging India’s Semiconductor Destiny: TCS’ Vision for AI-Driven Innovation

As we see a surge of activity in the semiconductor space, TCS has strategically positioned itself to cover the entire chip value chain, from R&D to end-use applications like automotive and healthcare. In an exclusive interview with Dataquest, Sreenivasa Chakravarti, Vice President, IoT and Digital Engineering of TCS discusses the company’s two-decade journey in the semiconductor space, highlighting its role in designing, validating, and deploying chips across various sectors. The conversation reveals how TCS has contributed to faster chip development cycles through software-driven validation and product lifecycle management.

Additionally, he delves into how TCS is leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as AI and machine learning in semiconductor design and manufacturing. With strategic partnerships with global semiconductor giants like Intel and NVIDIA, TCS is driving innovation in AI-enabled chipsets for autonomous driving, IoT, and industrial applications. The discussion also touches on India’s position in the global semiconductor industry, the challenges it faces in scaling, and the growing importance of collaboration between startups and industry leaders to address the skill and technology gap. Excerpts :

Could you describe TCS’s journey in chip design over the past 22 years?

TCS has had an extensive journey in chip design, spanning across the entire value chain, from research and development to manufacturing and application deployment. Initially, our focus was on IT solutions for chip design, such as lab systems and lifecycle management. Over time, TCS began working more intensively in product lifecycle management, sustaining engineering, and chip validation. This journey has evolved with TCS contributing to everything from automation in manufacturing to software-driven validation and testing for chip manufacturers, helping them achieve faster time-to-market. Moreover, TCS plays a crucial role in embedding chips into various industries—automotive, medical, and retail—ensuring optimized applications and market expansion.

AI is transformative across the semiconductor lifecycle, from designing AI-integrated chipsets to enhancing product validation and testing.

AI and machine learning are the pulse of today’s tech industry. How do they influence the semiconductor space?

AI is transformative in several stages of the semiconductor lifecycle. From designing AI-integrated chipsets to applying AI in product validation and testing, the technology is invaluable. For instance, AI accelerates validation processes by automating test cycles, reducing development times. Moreover, AI improves the manufacturing process, enhancing efficiency and reducing costs in this competitive industry. Once deployed, AI also enhances chip applications in diverse industries, making it integral across the entire product lifecycle. Additionally, TCS is using AI for smarter and more efficient operations, with investments in industrial and cognitive AI. AI’s role is vast, ranging from improving production efficiency to creating intelligent applications tailored for the automotive, healthcare, and retail sectors.

Can you talk about TCS’s collaborations with global semiconductor giants like NVIDIA and Intel?

TCS has built deep collaborations with industry leaders like NVIDIA and Intel, particularly in sectors like automotive. We work with their chipsets and combine them with our own algorithms for projects like autonomous driving. In our labs, we test and develop these algorithms using AI-enabled chipsets, and we re-purpose technology stacks to meet specific client needs. It’s a collaborative process where TCS leverages its expertise in application development to complement the hardware innovations from these semiconductor giants.

How do you see India positioning itself in the global semiconductor space compared to established players like Taiwan or South Korea?

India is still in the early stages of its semiconductor journey, so it’s not fair to compare it with countries like Taiwan or South Korea that have decades of experience. However, India’s consumption base is growing rapidly, which is crucial for a high-volume-driven industry like semiconductors. TCS, given its vast global experience and established relationships with global semiconductor companies, is well-positioned to contribute significantly as India’s ecosystem matures. Companies like Tata Electronics will also play a key role in advancing the country’s semiconductor manufacturing capabilities in the long run.

What are India’s key challenges in building a sustainable semiconductor ecosystem?

One of the biggest challenges is establishing sufficient consumption to justify high-volume manufacturing. Talent is another challenge, but it’s a multi-layered issue. There’s a need for skilled individuals in both operations and R&D. Collaborations between academia, industry, and institutions are essential to build the necessary talent pipeline. Once India scales these capabilities, the semiconductor industry will grow faster.

How are startups contributing to India’s semiconductor industry?

Startups play a significant role in the semiconductor ecosystem, particularly in AI and end-use applications. They are driving innovation in smarter product design and creating new services that add value to the semiconductor supply chain. They are also contributing to intellectual property on the production side, which is crucial for the industry’s long-term sustainability.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

At TCS, we’ve long been a leader in engineering, R&D, and IoT. We see the convergence of product design and AI as the future, creating software-defined products that meet evolving market demands. Our strength lies in combining engineering technology, information technology, and operations technology to drive innovation. As we continue investing in AI and semiconductor solutions, we expect to play a major role in shaping the industry’s future.

Sreenivasa Chakravarti

Vice President, IoT and Digital Engineering, TCS

punams@cybermedia.co.in