IMEC, a leading semiconductor research institute, has produced results from a new chip platform targeting cost and scalability issues seen as key variables in the spread of 6G. The development is drawing attention as it intersects with Nvidia's strategy of identifying telecommunications as AI's next growth axis.

According to IT outlet TechRadar on June 15, the results are directly tied to an industry trend to make radio access networks themselves operate like AI computers as next-generation wireless communications ramp up.

Nvidia Chief Executive Jensen Huang (젠슨 황) has repeatedly stressed telecommunications as AI's next battleground. The industry is watching the possibility that, when the 6G era begins, the boundary between software and hardware will blur further and each radio access network will shift toward a structure that incorporates AI computing functions. For such a shift to translate into an actual market, how inexpensive, accessible and scalable the underlying technology can be is seen as the key factor.

The chip platform IMEC has presented targets that bottleneck. IMEC researcher Xiao Sun (샤오 쑨) said, "Through this research, we demonstrated a highly integrated platform that combines performance, scalability and manufacturability." He added, "The next priority is to increase the platform's technology readiness and support low-volume production, helping partners more easily develop and scale next-generation RF systems."

Nvidia is already moving aggressively in telecommunications. Nvidia invested $1 billion to secure a 2.9 percent stake in Finnish telecommunications equipment company Nokia. It also formed a global telecommunications industry alliance aimed at building an AI-native platform to run 6G.

Nvidia views telecommunications as a new source of AI revenue and as a strategic market where it can expand its software layers and hardware stacks together.

Against this backdrop, IMEC's role is also coming into focus. IMEC is a Belgium-based non-profit research and development organisation focused on connecting semiconductor and advanced process research to the commercialisation stage. It is currently working with more than 600 industry partners worldwide.

TechRadar Pro editor Desire Athow (데지레 애소) described IMEC as "the United Nations of the silicon world" and said it is "where the world's most valuable technology companies gather to discuss and shape the next decade's technology pipeline."

The key question is the pace of real-world rollout. Chip technology for 6G must be cheaper and scalable at large scale for the AI transition of communications networks to pick up speed. As not only Nvidia but also major rivals look for AI's next growth driver, the next focus for the industry is whether IMEC's platform can lead to improved technology readiness and support for low-volume production.