TIME has named He Tingbo, President of HiSilicon, Huawei's semiconductor division, to its fourth annual TIME100 AI list, which recognizes the 100 most influential people in artificial intelligence. The announcement, made on August 28, 2026, underscores her pivotal role in shaping the future of AI through innovative semiconductor design.
He Tingbo's inclusion comes on the heels of her May 2026 presentation at the IEEE International Symposium on Circuits and Systems in Shanghai, where she introduced the "Tau (τ) Scaling Law." This proposal challenges the traditional Moore's Law, which has driven the exponential growth of computing power through the shrinking of transistor sizes. Instead, the Tau Scaling Law advocates for a time-based scaling approach, suggesting that performance improvements should be measured by how quickly systems can adapt to evolving AI workloads rather than by mere geometric reductions in chip dimensions.
This shift in thinking is critical as the industry approaches the physical limits of Moore's Law, where further miniaturization becomes increasingly difficult and costly. By prioritizing temporal efficiency, the Tau Scaling Law offers a new roadmap for sustaining progress in AI hardware, which is essential for the continued advancement of machine learning models that require immense computational resources.
Under He Tingbo's leadership over the past decade, HiSilicon has built a competitive edge in AI computing, developing key technologies such as Ascend AI accelerators, Kunpeng server processors, and UnifiedBus-enabled SuperPoD systems. These innovations are integral to Huawei's AI infrastructure, enabling high-performance computing for a range of applications, from cloud services to edge devices.
The recognition by TIME is a testament to her influence in the AI industry. According to TIME, the list is compiled by examining key stories in AI over the past year and consulting with experts and industry leaders. The honorees include leaders, innovators, shapers, and thinkers who are shaping the future of AI.
For the broader industry, He Tingbo's recognition signals a growing emphasis on alternative scaling methodologies as traditional approaches face physical and economic hurdles. The Tau Scaling Law could influence how semiconductor companies approach their long-term roadmaps, potentially leading to more sustainable and efficient AI hardware development. This is particularly important as AI adoption accelerates across sectors, driving demand for powerful yet energy-efficient computing solutions.
Consumers and businesses alike stand to benefit from these advancements, as more efficient AI chips could lead to faster, smarter, and more accessible AI applications, from autonomous vehicles to personalized medicine. Moreover, the shift toward time-based scaling may foster innovation in software and hardware co-design, encouraging a holistic approach to AI system optimization.
He Tingbo's story is featured on TIME's website, and the full list is available online. Her inclusion highlights the critical role of semiconductor design in the AI revolution and underscores the importance of visionary leadership in overcoming technical challenges.
