TIME has named He Tingbo, President of HiSilicon, Huawei's semiconductor division, to its fourth annual TIME100 AI list, which honors the most influential people in artificial intelligence. The recognition comes after He Tingbo proposed a groundbreaking new paradigm for semiconductor development in May 2026, at the IEEE International Symposium on Circuits and Systems in Shanghai.
He Tingbo introduced the "Tau (τ) Scaling Law," a concept that suggests time-based scaling should replace the traditional geometric shrinking dictated by Moore's Law. This proposal challenges the long-held industry assumption that progress in computing power hinges on packing more transistors onto chips. Instead, Tau Scaling Law posits that optimizing the temporal dynamics of computation—how quickly data moves and processes over time—could yield even greater performance gains, especially in AI workloads.
Under He Tingbo's leadership over the past decade, HiSilicon has developed a competitive edge in AI computing, with products like Ascend AI accelerators, Kunpeng server processors, and UnifiedBus-enabled SuperPoD systems. These innovations have positioned Huawei as a major player in the AI hardware space, competing with global giants. The Tau Scaling Law could further cement this position by offering a new roadmap for chip design that aligns with the demands of AI, which often requires massive parallel processing and efficient data movement.
The implications of this recognition are significant. Being named to the TIME100 AI list not only validates He Tingbo's contributions but also shines a spotlight on alternative approaches to computing that may be essential as Moore's Law reaches its physical limits. If Tau Scaling Law gains traction, it could influence how semiconductor companies worldwide approach innovation, potentially leading to new architectures that prioritize time efficiency over mere transistor density. This could spur a shift in research and development priorities, accelerating advances in AI and other data-intensive fields.
TIME's selection process involves editors and reporters examining key stories in AI over the past year, consulting experts and industry leaders. The final list includes leaders, innovators, shapers, and thinkers shaping the future of AI. He Tingbo's inclusion highlights the growing importance of hardware innovation in the AI ecosystem, where software often takes precedence in public discourse.
For those interested, He Tingbo's profile can be viewed at TIME100 AI 2026: He Tingbo. The full list is available at TIME100 AI 2026 Full List.
