SHENZHEN, CHINA – TIME has named He Tingbo, President of HiSilicon, Huawei's semiconductor division, to the 2026 TIME100 AI list, which honors the 100 most influential people in artificial intelligence. The recognition highlights her groundbreaking proposal to replace Moore's Law with a new scaling principle, a shift that could redefine the future of computing.
In May 2026, at the IEEE International Symposium on Circuits and Systems in Shanghai, He Tingbo unveiled the 'Tau (τ) Scaling Law,' advocating for time-based scaling as the guiding principle for semiconductors and electronic systems. This concept challenges the long-standing geometric shrinking of transistors that has driven technological progress for decades. Instead, it emphasizes temporal dynamics, potentially enabling more efficient and powerful AI systems that adapt to real-time demands.
The implications are profound. As Moore's Law approaches physical limits, the industry has been seeking alternative paths to sustain performance gains. Tau Scaling offers a new framework that could lead to breakthroughs in AI computing, particularly in areas requiring real-time processing and energy efficiency. Under He Tingbo's leadership over the past decade, HiSilicon has developed a robust portfolio in AI infrastructure, including Ascend AI accelerators, Kunpeng server processors, and UnifiedBus-enabled SuperPoD systems. These technologies are integral to Huawei's strategy to provide comprehensive AI solutions, from edge to cloud.
TIME's selection process involved examining key AI stories over the past year and consulting with experts and industry leaders. The list aims to spotlight those who are shaping the future of AI, and He Tingbo's inclusion underscores her influence in advancing semiconductor technology for AI applications. Her work not only positions Huawei as a leader in AI hardware but also contributes to the global conversation on how to sustain innovation in the post-Moore era.
As AI models grow in complexity, the demand for specialized hardware that can efficiently handle massive computations is critical. Tau Scaling Law could pave the way for chips that are not only faster but also more adaptable, potentially reducing the energy footprint of AI systems. This is particularly important as concerns about the environmental impact of large-scale AI training and inference grow.
He Tingbo's recognition on the TIME100 AI list is a testament to her visionary approach and the tangible impact of her work. It also highlights the increasing importance of semiconductor innovation in the AI landscape, where hardware and software co-evolve to unlock new capabilities. The full list and her profile are available on TIME's website, offering insights into the diverse contributions of AI leaders worldwide.
