TIME has named He Tingbo, President of HiSilicon, Huawei's semiconductor division, to its 2026 TIME100 AI list, an annual recognition of the 100 most influential people in artificial intelligence. The announcement, made on August 28, 2026, highlights He's pivotal role in shaping AI hardware innovation.
He Tingbo's inclusion stems from her proposal of the "Tau (τ) Scaling Law" in May 2026 at the IEEE International Symposium on Circuits and Systems in Shanghai. This concept challenges the traditional Moore's Law, which predicts that the number of transistors on a chip doubles approximately every two years, by suggesting that time-based scaling should guide semiconductor development. The Tau Scaling Law emphasizes temporal efficiency and adaptability, potentially offering a new framework for designing electronic systems that keep pace with AI's rapid evolution.
Under He's decade-long leadership, HiSilicon has built a competitive edge in AI computing, developing technologies such as Ascend AI accelerators, Kunpeng server processors, and UnifiedBus-enabled SuperPoD systems. These innovations are crucial for advancing AI capabilities, from training large models to deploying efficient inference systems.
The TIME100 AI list is compiled by TIME's editors and reporters, who examine key AI stories over the past year and consult with experts and industry leaders. The result is a diverse group of leaders, innovators, shapers, and thinkers who are driving the future of AI.
He Tingbo's recognition underscores the growing importance of hardware innovation in AI. As AI models become more complex, the need for efficient and scalable chips becomes critical. The Tau Scaling Law could influence how the industry approaches semiconductor design, potentially leading to more sustainable and performance-optimized systems.
For more details on her story, visit He Tingbo's TIME100 AI profile. The full list is available at TIME100 AI 2026.
