[Interview] Deep-Tech Startup SemiAI Leads the Intelligent Transformation of the Semiconductor Ecosystem

Semiconductors—the core components that control and process electrical signals and handle data computation in electronic devices—are essential parts used across a wide range of equipment, from computers and home appliances to smartphones, automobiles, and medical devices.

Alongside advances in cutting-edge industries such as AI, power infrastructure, and quantum computing, semiconductors continue to evolve toward higher performance, lower power, and higher integration density.

Founded in December 2024, SemiAI is a deep-tech startup pouring its efforts into developing and providing technology focused on the intelligent transformation of the semiconductor industry—improving process yield, reducing costs, and lowering carbon emissions—based on semiconductor-specialized generative AI, digital twin technology, and LLMs (large language models).

Semiconductors are produced through a sequence of intricate processes including circuit design, wafer fabrication and surface treatment, deposition and ion implantation, metal interconnect, and electrical characterization. When even a small error occurs in this sequence, it leads to process defects, and the resulting increase in operating cost becomes a growing burden for semiconductor manufacturers.

SemiAI is focused on supply chain optimization with its SMILE platform, developed to deliver optimal process yield and improve productivity.

"With the SMILE platform, we are pursuing a strategy that lowers process defect rates, improves yield, and—through energy optimization—delivers cost savings and carbon emission reductions," said SemiAI CEO Taekwon Jee. "We are also conducting related research such as deep-learning-based defect detection."

Digital twin technology uses real-time data to perform simulation, performance analysis, and optimization. LLMs perform a wide range of tasks—including content generation—through deep learning trained on massive volumes of text.

SemiAI's headquarters in Gangnam, Seoul, is responsible for overall product design, while a Silicon Valley subsidiary in the U.S. handles American sales and AI research.

"There are virtually no carbon-reduction project items in the semiconductor field," CEO Jee said. "SemiAI aims to lead the intelligent transformation of the entire semiconductor ecosystem."

- Tell us about the deep-tech areas SemiAI is working on.

"To describe SemiAI's smart-data and AI initiatives: we have generative digital twin technology that can produce sensor data and process data covering the full upstream of the semiconductor manufacturing process.

We are aiming to implement real-time data analysis and decision-making loops, and we are focused on improving productivity, raising process yield, and optimizing the supply chain through machine learning and AI.

Alongside this, we are also conducting research on deep-learning-based defect detection and process anomaly detection algorithms.

Curvilinear EDA, instead of traditional rule-based OPC (Optical Proximity Correction), uses deep learning to generate optimal curvilinear masks.

Using GAN/Transformer (Generative Adversarial Network / Transformer) models trained on large-scale datasets, we are innovating chip design by proposing curvilinear patterns that improve yield."

- What's your strategy for cost savings and carbon reduction?

"Through SemiAI's SMILE platform, we expect process defect rates to fall by more than 15% versus existing methods, and average yield to improve by about 10%.

We are also pursuing a strategy of cutting fab power consumption by 12% with AI-based energy optimization—delivering billions of won in annual cost savings and approximately 5,000 tons of carbon emission reductions.

There are no carbon-reduction project items in the semiconductor field. We aim to pursue collaboration projects tied to green-taxonomy strategies with semiconductor companies such as SK hynix.

Going forward, we will continue combining AI with digital twin technology to advance smart fab operations, and we are working to position our platform as a core enabler that simultaneously supports manufacturing competitiveness and ESG goals."

- What is SemiAI's SMILE platform?

"The SMILE platform uses generative AI to implement a virtual fab that precisely replicates a real fab's processes and equipment states as a digital twin.

This allows various process variables and scenarios to be simulated and optimized in a virtual environment in real time, so defect causes can be detected and addressed proactively.

With smart control built on the virtual fab, the SMILE platform minimizes production risk and provides an innovative manufacturing environment that maximizes energy and resource efficiency."

- Which programs supported your founding and operations, and what milestones have you achieved?

"Programs such as Shinbo Startup Nest and the KB Unicorn Club helped us with investment, organizational management, and refining our business model.

It's rare for a first-year company, but we were selected for government R&D programs including the Early-Stage Startup Package (KRW 50 million), Stepping-Stone (KRW 200 million), and Deep-Tech TIPS (KRW 1.5 billion).

This support has been used to cover personnel and operating expenses.

SemiAI has also filed one patent related to its generative digital twin—the virtual semiconductor fab.

We have signed an agreement with Auros Technology covering equipment intelligence (overlay metrology) and joint package sales of our SMILE solution."

- What's your outlook on the AI-driven semiconductor manufacturing market?

"The semiconductor industry is growing far faster than expected as it benefits from synergy with advances in AI.

According to Fortune Business Insights, the market is projected to grow at a 15.4% CAGR, reaching roughly KRW 2,700 trillion by 2032.

The solutions market driven by the AI transformation of production processes within that is estimated at roughly KRW 300–800 trillion."

- What's SemiAI's business direction going forward?

"Currently, SemiAI's headquarters in Gangnam, Seoul, designs and develops the entire web application product.

We have a subsidiary in Silicon Valley that handles local sales, and we plan to recruit research talent strong in LLMs to establish a dedicated AI research lab.

SEMI (Semiconductor Manufacturing Intelligence) is an AI-based business intelligence software platform purpose-built for semiconductors.

The first product on this platform is SMILE, which improves yield by streamlining the photo process and reducing defects.

Going forward, we plan to expand into EDA and other process-efficiency / defect-reduction areas, and ultimately to introduce software that directly improves yield.

Through this, SemiAI plans to lead the intelligent transformation of the entire semiconductor ecosystem."