Intel expects to see Moore"s law continue for the near future and also plans for its x86 processor architecture to extend across everything from small embedded devices right up to supercomputers, according to the head of its Digital Enterprise group, Pat Gelsinger. However, programming techniques are going to have to evolve to make better use of many-core chips.
Speaking at a briefing to mark Intel"s 40th anniversary, Gelsinger gave his predictions for the future of computer technology, focusing on the key areas of Moore"s law, many-core chips, the Intel architecture (IA), and visual computing. Gelsinger said that Moore"s law would continue to extend into the future, and said that Intel has a roadmap for 32nm, 22nm and 10nm chips.
"I can recall in the past we thought reaching 1 micron (1 micrometre) would be hard," he commented, adding that as each milestone was reached, the way ahead became clearer, despite predictions that Moore"s law was running out of steam.